--- title: "Approve or Unapprove Timecards" slug: "approve-or-unapprove-shifts-timecards" description: "Approve or unapprove timecards individually or in bulk. Disputes block approval; edits automatically unapprove a timecard." updated: 2026-05-14T17:31:45Z published: 2026-05-14T17:31:45Z canonical: "docs.restaurant365.com/approve-or-unapprove-shifts-timecards" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.restaurant365.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Approve or Unapprove Timecards Approval confirms that the timecard is complete, accurate, and free of unresolved disputes before payroll processing. Approval can be done on the [**Timecards**](/doc/docs/timecard-page) page or within a specific timecard record. Timecards may be approved at any time, even in closed pay periods. Timecards with missing punches or overlapping shifts can’t be approved and aren’t included in exports. When a timecard is edited or updated, it’s automatically unapproved. Both approved and unapproved timecards are included in payroll exports, but approval helps ensure payroll accuracy. ### When to Approve Approve timecards after all hours, breaks, and adjustments have been reviewed and verified for accuracy. If any changes are made after approval, recheck the record to confirm it’s correct, since edits automatically remove approval. Approving at the end of each pay period helps confirm readiness for payroll processing and reduces the chance of export errors. > Timecards with missing punches or overlapping shifts **cannot** be approved and are **not included** in payroll exports. Learn more about [reviewing timecards](/doc/docs/review-timecards). If an employee has submitted a dispute, review and resolve the dispute before approving the timecard. Approval is available only after all disputes are addressed. ### How Timecard Approval Works with Disputes Timecard approval is part of a larger workflow that may include employee disputes and employee sign-off. If an employee submits a dispute for a timecard, the dispute must be resolved before the timecard can be approved. Timecards with active disputes cannot be approved through individual approval or Approve All. Managers must review and resolve employee disputes before completing approval. Learn more about [Handling Timecard Disputes](/doc/docs/handling-timecard-disputes). --- ## Security Users must have the following permission to approve timecards: - Labor → Time & Attendance → Timecards → Approve Timecards These permissions can be added to [custom user roles](https://restaurant365.us.document360.io/doc/docs/custom-user-roles) or [individual users](https://restaurant365.us.document360.io/doc/docs/users-overview-and-security). The [Permission Access report](https://restaurant365.us.document360.io/doc/docs/generating-a-permissions-access-report) can be used to determine which user roles or users already have these permissions assigned. For more information, see [User Setup and Security](/doc/docs/user-setup-security-and-location-access). --- ## Approve a Single Timecard > [!NOTE] > **Note**: Timecards with employee disputes cannot be approved. Resolve all disputes before attempting to approve a timecard. Follow these steps to approve a single timecard: *Click steps to expand for additional information and images.* ****1)** **Locate the timecard** that needs to be approved.** To open the timecard: 1. Navigate to the [**Timecard page**](/doc/docs/timecard-page)**.** 2. Select the **location** for the desired timecard. > Only locations that the user has access to can be selected. 3. Select the appropriate **day, week,** or **pay period** for the timecard. 4. Locate the **row** for the desired timecard. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-GUOAM38E.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-29T04%3A11%3A12Z&se=2026-10-29T05%3A11%3A12Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=z4uAqcImjIJ9nPdwsi6%2Bl4u6YY66Lr%2FeNyy6US16uls%3D) ****2)** Review the timecard details **in the grid** or **click** on the timecard’s **row** to open its [timecard record](/doc/docs/timecard-shift-record).** After reviewing, close the timecard record. Timecards can only be approved from the timecard record after [edits](/doc/docs/edit-punch-details-timecards) are made. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-UAQXM6UC.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-29T04%3A11%3A12Z&se=2026-10-29T05%3A11%3A12Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=z4uAqcImjIJ9nPdwsi6%2Bl4u6YY66Lr%2FeNyy6US16uls%3D) ****3)** If the timecard is accurate and does not have punch errors, click **Approve** in the grid or **Save + Approve** from the open timecard.** The **Save + Approve** button will enable once the required fields have been completed. > If the timecard is not accurate or has errors, click the timecard’s row to make [edits](/doc/docs/edit-punch-details-timecards) before approving. > > Timecards with missing punches or overlapping shifts **cannot** be approved. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-50LNQBDS.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-29T04%3A11%3A12Z&se=2026-10-29T05%3A11%3A12Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=z4uAqcImjIJ9nPdwsi6%2Bl4u6YY66Lr%2FeNyy6US16uls%3D) --- ## Approve Timecards in Bulk > [!NOTE] > **Note**: Approve All skips timecards with employee disputes. Only timecards without disputes are approved in bulk actions. Follow these steps to approve multiple timecards in bulk: 1. Navigate to the Timecards page. 2. Select the **location** for the desired timecard. > Only locations that the user has access to can be selected. 3. Select the appropriate **day, week,** or **pay period** for the timecard. 4. Check the **bulk select checkbox** for all desired accurate timecards without punch errors. > If the timecard is not accurate or has errors, click the timecard’s row to make [edits](/doc/docs/edit-punch-details-timecards) before approving. 5. In the bulk action menu at the bottom of the page, click the **Checkmark button**. > Timecards with missing punches or overlapping shifts **cannot** be approved. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-1BNRL7AW.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-29T04%3A11%3A12Z&se=2026-10-29T05%3A11%3A12Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=z4uAqcImjIJ9nPdwsi6%2Bl4u6YY66Lr%2FeNyy6US16uls%3D)