Tracking break time

There are two types of breaks you can take: Normal and Custom

Written by Melissa Spillett

Last modified on

October 23rd 2024

Jibble’s time tracking software goes beyond tracking working hours for actvities and projects – it also takes care of monitoring your break times. This added feature ensures the precision of your timesheets and payroll calculations.

If you haven’t already, check out our article on managing work schedules for more information on setting up breaks.

This article covers:

Differentiating normal and custom breaks
Tracking time on a normal break
Tracking time on a custom break
Examining break entries on timesheets

Differentiating normal and custom breaks

	Normal break	Custom break
Available plans	All plans	Only on paid plans
Availability	Any time	Only after the custom break is set up on your work schedule
Restrictions	None	Depending on the time slot and duration set up on your work schedule

Note: If a custom break has been set up on your work schedule, your team will not be able to use a normal break anymore.

Tracking time on a normal break

Starting a break:

Clock in as usual; you need to be currently clocked in to take a break.
Click on the yellow break icon.
You will be immediately clocked in for a break.

Ending a break:

Click on the yellow end break icon (this time with a slash) to end your break.
A clock-in screen will appear.
Select an activity, project, and add a note if necessary.
Tap Save.
This will effectively end your break and resume your clock in.

Tracking time on a custom break

Once you’ve configured custom breaks in your work schedule, you can now choose which break to clock into.

Depending on your break restriction, you can allocate a duration and a timeslot for your break.

Example:

Lunch break: 1-hour duration with an allocated timeslot between 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm (only accessible during this time frame).
Coffee break: 15 minutes without an allocated timeslot (can be taken at any time).
Rest break: 10 minutes with an allocated timeslot between 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm (only accessible during this time frame).

Read more about setting up breaks by managing your work schedules.

Starting a custom break:

Ensure you are already clocked in.
Click on the yellow break icon.
If you have multiple break types set up, select the one you want to take at the current time.Note: Disabled break types have either already been used or are outside the allocated timeslot. In both cases, you cannot take those breaks until the next day.
You will be clocked in for a break.

Important ❗: For the time being, there is no restriction if someone uses up more than the allocated duration of the break.

Ending a custom break:

Click on the yellow end break icon (with a slash) to end your break.
A clock-in screen will appear.
Select an activity, project, and add a note if necessary.
Tap Save.
This action will conclude your break and resume your clock in.

Examining break entries on timesheets

Break entries are identified on timesheets through a break chip on the web app and an orange circle on the mobile app.

In the example above, Harry initiated a 1-hour break at 10:51 am and returned to work at 11:51 am.

If multiple breaks are taken in a day, each break entry is displayed in your timesheets. Additionally, a breakdown of total break hours can be found in the Tracked Hours section foldout at the bottom or on the left summary panel.

If a team member violates a break, a break violation icon will be displayed on the break entry. This can occur if the break duration or allocated time slot is exceeded.

Example 1:

Cedric is allowed a 60-minute lunch break from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. His time entries for the day are:

Clock in: 9:00 am
Start break: 12:00 pm
End break/Clock in: 1:05 pm
Clock out: 6:00 pm

In this case, his break entry will be flagged with a violated break icon, as he has exceeded the allowed break duration of 60 minutes (12:00 pm – 1:05 pm).

Example 2: