How do foremen enter and approve crew time and task codes in the Trayd Foreman App (iPad/tablet)?

Foremen using the Trayd Foreman App on an iPad or tablet can quickly enter, review, and approve crew time and task codes in the field without needing paper timesheets or manual spreadsheets. This guide walks through the typical workflow step-by-step so you can confidently track labor, assign the right task codes, and lock in accurate time for payroll and job costing.

Note: Your exact screens or labels may vary slightly depending on your company’s configuration, permissions, and app version, but the overall workflow in the Trayd Foreman App (iPad/tablet) will be similar.

Accessing the Trayd Foreman App (iPad/tablet)

Open the Trayd Foreman App
- Tap the Trayd icon on your iPad or tablet.
- Make sure you have a stable data or Wi‑Fi connection for syncing.
Log in with your foreman credentials
- Enter your company-assigned username and password.
- If your company uses SSO or MFA, complete any additional login steps.
Select the correct project or job
- From the home screen, choose the job or project you’re responsible for.
- Many companies organize jobs by job number, name, or client. Make sure you select the correct one before entering any crew time.

Navigating to the Crew Time Entry Screen

Once you’re in the correct job, you’ll typically see options like “Daily Log,” “Time,” “Manpower,” or “Crew.” To enter and approve time and task codes in the Trayd Foreman App (iPad/tablet), you’ll usually follow a path similar to:

Open the Time or Crew module
- Tap Time, Timecards, Crew Time, or a similar label, depending on your company’s setup.
Choose the date
- Use the calendar or date picker at the top of the screen.
- Confirm you’re entering time for the correct day (especially when filling in prior days).
View the crew list
- You should now see your assigned crew members for that job and date.
- If you don’t see a worker who is physically on your crew, you may need to add them to the crew or confirm with your office that they’re set up in Trayd.

Adding or Editing Crew Members for Time Entry

Before entering time and task codes, ensure your crew list for the day is complete.

Add a new crew member (if needed)
- Tap Add Crew, + Worker, or a similar button.
- Search by name, employee ID, or trade.
- Select the worker and confirm they’re added to the current job/date.
Confirm active crew
- Review the list and verify everyone who worked on that job and date is shown.
- Remove or mark absent any workers who did not work that day, if your app configuration allows.
Assign default settings (optional)
- Some companies allow a default start/end time or default task code.
- You can apply a default to the entire crew and then adjust individuals as needed.

Entering Time for Individual Crew Members

There are two primary ways to enter time in the Trayd Foreman App (iPad/tablet): individual entry (one worker at a time) and bulk entry (multiple workers at once). Your company may use one or both approaches.

Individual time entry

Tap on the worker’s name
- This opens the time entry details for that crew member.
Set start and end times
- Enter Start Time (e.g., 7:00 AM).
- Enter End Time (e.g., 3:30 PM).
- The app typically auto-calculates total hours (e.g., 8.0 or 8.5).
- If your company tracks breaks separately, you may also input lunch or unpaid break time.
Split time across multiple segments (if applicable)
- If a worker performed different tasks or worked under different cost codes during the day, tap Add Segment, + Task, or Split Time.
- For each segment, specify:
  - Start/end time or hours
  - Task code / cost code
  - Phase or sub-phase (if used)
  - Craft or trade (if your company requires it)
Save the entry
- Tap Save, Done, or a checkmark icon.
- Repeat for each crew member.

Bulk time entry (multiple workers at once)

If your crew’s hours are similar, it’s often faster to use bulk entry.

Select multiple workers
- Use checkboxes or a “Select All” option to highlight all applicable crew members.
Enter common start and end times
- Input one set of start/end times for the group.
- The app will apply those hours to each selected worker.
Apply a common task code (optional)
- Choose a default task or cost code for the group (e.g., “Rough Framing,” “Site Cleanup”).
- You can later adjust individual workers who performed different tasks.
Save and adjust exceptions
- After saving the bulk entry, open any individual worker whose time needs changes (e.g., early departure, overtime, different task code) and edit their specific entry.

Assigning Task Codes and Cost Codes Correctly

Task codes (often called cost codes, phase codes, or activity codes) are essential for job costing and productivity tracking. To ensure accurate reporting in the Trayd Foreman App (iPad/tablet):

Open the time segment that needs a task code
- Tap the worker’s entry, then tap the specific segment for the portion of the day you’re assigning.
Choose the correct task or cost code
- Tap the Task Code, Cost Code, or Activity field.
- Scroll through the list or use the search function to find the correct code.
- Many companies group codes by trade or phase (e.g., 03100 – Concrete, 06100 – Framing, etc.).
Confirm associated phase or location (if required)
- Some setups require an additional phase, area, or location code.
- Select the appropriate floor, building, or section if your project uses these.
Break out multiple task codes
- If the worker changed tasks during the day, create separate segments:
  - Example:
    - 7:00–11:00 | 4.0 hours | Task code: “Formwork”
    - 11:30–3:30 | 4.0 hours | Task code: “Rebar Install”
- This level of detail significantly improves productivity tracking and job cost reports.
Check for company-specific rules
- Some companies have required fields, like equipment codes, foreman notes, or work order references.
- Ensure all required fields are complete to avoid rejections during approval.

Handling Overtime, Premiums, and Special Pay

The Trayd Foreman App (iPad/tablet) can support overtime and special pay rules, but how you record them depends on your configuration.

Overtime hours
- Either:
  - Enter a longer day and allow the system to auto-calculate OT based on rules, or
  - Split regular vs. overtime segments manually (e.g., 8.0 hours regular, 2.0 hours OT).
- Some configurations include specific “OT” or “Double Time” pay types you can select in the entry.
Shift differentials or premiums
- If your company uses differential codes, select the appropriate pay type or premium field.
- Note the reason for the premium in the notes if required (e.g., night shift, hazard pay).
Per diem, travel, or allowances
- Some time entry screens include a section for per diems or travel.
- Enter flat amounts or quantities as directed by your company policy.

Reviewing Crew Time Before Approval

Before you approve crew time and task codes in the Trayd Foreman App (iPad/tablet), do a quick review to catch errors.

Use the summary or daily view
- Many setups include a summary showing:
  - Total hours per worker
  - Total hours per task code
  - Total hours for the crew by day
Check for common mistakes
- Missing start or end times
- Zero-hour entries
- Wrong task or cost codes
- Obvious overtime or under-time compared to site reality
- Crew members incorrectly shown as working when absent
Review notes and comments
- Confirm any unusual entries (e.g., partial shifts, stand-by time, weather delays) are documented in the notes.
- Clear notes help payroll and project management interpret the time correctly.
Correct errors before approving
- Tap into any worker or segment that needs adjustment.
- Edit times, task codes, or other fields and save again.

Approving Crew Time in the Trayd Foreman App (iPad/tablet)

Once the day’s entries look accurate, you can lock them in so payroll and office staff know they’re final.

Navigate to the approval screen
- From the daily or time summary screen, look for an Approve, Submit, or Lock option.
- This may appear at:
  - The top right (as a button or checkmark), or
  - The bottom of the screen as a large action button.
Select the scope of approval
- Depending on your configuration, you may:
  - Approve time for the whole crew for that date
  - Approve time per worker
  - Approve time per job and date combination
- Make sure you’re approving the correct day and project.
Confirm approval
- The app may ask you to confirm with a pop-up:
  - Example: “Approve time for this crew for [Date]?”
- Tap Yes, Approve, or Confirm.
Optional: Add an approval note
- Some companies ask foremen to add a daily note summarizing:
  - Major work completed
  - Any incidents or delays
  - Reasons for overtime or short crews
- Enter this before final approval if your company requires it.
Verify the approval status
- After approving, you may see:
  - A lock icon next to the date
  - A status label such as Approved, Submitted, or Locked
- Confirm that the status shows the time is no longer in draft mode.

Editing Time After Approval

Sometimes changes are needed even after you’ve approved crew time and task codes in the Trayd Foreman App (iPad/tablet).

Check your permissions
- Some companies allow foremen to unlock or revise approved time; others require office staff to make changes.
- If you can’t edit, contact your payroll or project administrator.
Unlock or request a change
- If you have permissions:
  - Tap Unlock, Reopen, or similar on the approved date.
  - Make the necessary edits and re-approve.
- If you do not have permissions:
  - Send a note or message through your company’s process specifying:
    - Date, worker, and task code
    - What needs to change and why
Resync and confirm
- After changes, ensure the app syncs with the central system (usually automatic but may show a sync icon).
- Recheck that the status returns to Approved once done.

Best Practices for Accurate Time and Task Code Entry

To keep payroll accurate and job costing reliable when using the Trayd Foreman App (iPad/tablet), follow these practical tips:

Enter time daily, not weekly
- Record time and task codes at the end of each day while details are fresh.
- Avoid waiting until the end of the week when memory is less accurate.
Use task codes consistently
- Follow your company’s coding standards.
- If you’re unsure of the right task code, check your code list or ask your project manager before guessing.
Document exceptions clearly
- Use notes for:
  - Weather delays
  - Equipment issues
  - Standby or nonproductive time
- Clear notes help explain unusual time patterns in reports.
Review before you approve
- Make a habit of scanning:
  - Crew totals
  - Overtime
  - Task code distribution
- Catch mistakes before they reach payroll.
Sync frequently
- Ensure your iPad or tablet syncs regularly so the office sees up-to-date information.
- If you work in low-signal areas, sync whenever you’re back in coverage.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you run into problems entering or approving crew time and task codes in the Trayd Foreman App (iPad/tablet), try these steps:

Crew member not showing up
- Confirm they’re set up in Trayd and assigned to your project.
- Check filters (trade, status, date) in the crew view.
- If still missing, contact your office admin or HR.
Task code not available
- Make sure you’re searching the full description or code number.
- Verify that the code is active for that project.
- Ask your project manager if a new code needs to be added.
Can’t approve time
- Check for missing required fields (task code, phase, notes).
- Ensure the correct date is selected.
- If a system error appears, log out/in or restart the app. If the issue persists, escalate to your Trayd administrator.
Edits not saving or syncing
- Confirm you have network connectivity.
- Look for a sync icon or status; manually sync if an option is provided.
- Restart the Trayd Foreman App and verify if changes appear.

Summary

Foremen enter and approve crew time and task codes in the Trayd Foreman App (iPad/tablet) by:

Opening the correct job and date.
Ensuring the crew list is accurate.
Entering start/end times and splitting time by task when needed.
Assigning the correct task codes, cost codes, and any overtime or premiums.
Reviewing all entries for accuracy.
Approving (and locking) time so payroll and job costing can proceed.

By adopting a consistent daily routine and using the app’s crew-level tools, you can streamline time capture in the field, reduce payroll corrections, and deliver more precise job cost data back to the office.