How to Manage Idle Time During Lunch Breaks

Note: Break Tracking feature is available on Standard and Premium Time Doctor Subscription Plans. Only Owners and Admins may configure this feature.

TL;DR:

Prevent idle time from being inaccurately recorded during lunch breaks by either manually stopping the timer or using the Break feature.

Accurate time tracking requires proper handling of lunch breaks. Idle time can be falsely recorded if tracking continues during non-working periods. Follow these practices to ensure break time is not counted as idle time.

Stop Time Tracking During Lunch Breaks

Instruct users to stop tracking time before starting a lunch break.
When the timer continues running during inactivity, Time Doctor will record idle time.
Avoid inaccurate time records by pausing the timer whenever the user steps away for lunch.

Use the Break Feature for Paid Breaks

Configure the Break feature for users eligible for paid lunch breaks.
When activated, this feature excludes break periods from idle time calculations.
This ensures that paid breaks are reflected accurately and not mistaken for inactivity.

Refer to this article for detailed setup:
How to Configure and Use Breaks

Recommendations

If not using the Break feature:

Require users to manually stop the timer during unpaid lunch breaks to avoid idle time.

If using paid breaks:

Set up the Break feature in the settings for eligible users.
This avoids the need for manual timer management and ensures break periods are properly accounted for.

Managing idle time during lunch breaks is essential for accurate reporting in Time Doctor. Either use the Break feature or stop the timer manually to ensure that work hours are not inflated by unintended idle time.

Should there be any inconsistencies or concerns regarding the article, contact support@timedoctor.com for prompt assistance.