This section describes how balance periods operate, how overtime is recorded, how balances are calculated and displayed, and how related data is exposed on the roster and through reports.
Balance Period Types
Balance periods define the time logic used to evaluate and settle working time balances. Two types are supported.
Fixed Balance Period
A fixed balance period consists of explicit, consecutive time blocks, such as months, weeks, or years.
- Periods are predefined and follow one another
- Different period lengths can be defined for different organizational units, working time models, or employees
- At the end of the fixed balance period, the final balance is settled for all employees
Running Balance Period
A running balance period is not bound to fixed calendar dates and is defined by a number of months.
- Balances created in different months are settled in different future months
- Settlement is based on the number of months after the month in which the balance originated
Example:
If the running balance period is set to three months, a balance created in January must be settled no later than April.
Overtime Handling Approaches
Working time surplus can be handled either through explicit overtime recording or through cumulative balance calculation.
Tracked Overtime Activities
Tracked overtime activities are used to mark specific worked hours as overtime on the roster.
- Overtime is recorded in exact time slots using overtime activities
- These hours do not enter worked time
- They are excluded from worked time statistics
- They can be reported separately in payroll exports using dedicated metrics
Overtime activities can be configured as:
- paid
- compensatory time off
- paid on-call
- compensatory on-call
If such activities are configured, their statistics are automatically shown on the Saldo tab of the worksheet.
Cumulative Balance
If there is no requirement to mark exact overtime hours, a cumulative balance can be used.
- In each period, worked time is compared against the working time fund
- The difference creates a monthly balance
- The monthly balance is combined with the balance from the previous period
- If not paid out, the balance is transferred to the next period
At the end of the balance period, any remaining positive balance must be settled as overtime.
Worksheet – Balance Overview
Balance information is displayed on the Saldo tab of the worksheet.
- The left side shows statistics related to the current period
- The right side shows a summary of all completed parts of the current balance period
Values for the Current Period
Balance Period
Displays the fixed period interval or the number of months for a running period
Transferred Balance
Number of hours transferred from the previous period
Current Period Balance
Balance created in the current period
(tracked overtime hours are excluded)
Negative Balance Offset
Number of hours of negative balance from the previous period offset by current positive balance
Tracked Paid Overtime
Hours marked with paid overtime activities
(shown only if such activities exist)
Tracked Compensatory Overtime
Hours marked with compensatory overtime activities
(shown only if such activities exist)
Refundable Balance Range
Range of cumulative positive balance that can be entered for payout
Total Overtime to Be Paid
Cumulative balance sent to payroll for the current period
Editable if manual entry is allowed, otherwise enforced at balance period end
Balance Transferred to Next Period
Final cumulative balance carried forward
Balance Period Assignment Logic
Balance period logic is applied through assignment.
- Balance period properties can be assigned to organizational units or individual employees
- Typically, the property is assigned to the highest organizational unit and inherited by subunits
- Individual employees can have a specific balance period assigned
For each employee, the closest assignment applies.
If the validity of a more specific assignment ends, the system falls back to the next applicable assignment.
Balance Information on the Roster
Balance information can be displayed directly on the roster using properties.
- Properties display balance-related values for individual employees
- Values are derived from report metrics
- The same metrics are reused for reporting and exports
Reports and Metrics
Reports used for balance visualization and processing provide the following metrics
(listed exactly as defined):
StatisticsMethod.CumulativeBalance_TransferredBalanceFromPreviousPeriodStatisticsMethod.CumulativeBalance_TransferredBalanceStatisticsMethod.CumulativeBalance_CurrentMonthBalanceStatisticsMethod.CumulativeBalance_RefundedBalanceStatisticsMethod.CumulativeBalance_MinBalanceToRefundStatisticsMethod.CumulativeBalance_RefundedBalanceTotalStatisticsMethod.CumulativeBalance__TransferredBalanceFromPreviousPeriodAndCurrentBalanceStatisticsMethod.TrackedOvertimePaidWorkingTimeStatisticsMethod.TrackedOvertimeCompensatoryWorkingTimeStatisticsMethod.TrackedOvertimeEmergencyPaidWorkingTimeStatisticsMethod.TrackedOvertimeEmergencyCompensatoryWorkingTimeStatisticsMethod.TrackedOvertimeTotalPaidWorkingTimeStatisticsMethod.TrackedOvertimeCompensatoryTotalWorkingTime
These reports serve as the data source for roster properties and payroll exports.
Attendance Closure and Balance Continuity
Monthly attendance closure is required for correct balance processing.
Running Balance Period
- During closure, the oldest positive balance that reached the end of the running balance period is enforced for payout
Fixed Balance Period
The system determines whether the closed month is:
- the first month of the balance period
- an intermediate month
- the final month of the balance period
In the final month:
- all positive balances are enforced for payout
- negative balances are stored but ignored
If balance period definitions change between months, the system attempts to maintain continuity and displays warnings when needed.