Online timesheets.

[Saywhatyousee]

Hi,

We were just having a discussion within the team (mainly made up of contractors) about how things have changed over the last 10 years, and timesheets came up. My current agency still uses hard copies which I have to sign, scan return etc - but have used online systems in the past.

We couldn't come up with a favourite and was wondering what people on here thought. Is there a systems that you have used which was better than others - if so, why? When I have used online, it has all been pretty simple - apart from one which wanted a breakdown of every days activities - wouldn't recommend that!!

Cheers.

[northernladuk]

I'll use anything that gets signed off so I can get my invoice in. I'm paid to fill it in so I'm really not that bothered.

[unixman]

I charge £40 an hour for helping in your survey. Where do I send the invoice please.

[DaveB]

The worst one I've used was with a large Telecoms client a few years ago.

Fill in an online form (Client CO managed) and submit it.
Then take a screen shot of the submitted form.
Print it.
Get it signed by someone I dont report to and who has no budget responsibility and doesnt know what I do.
Scan it.
Send it to someone else (200 miles away and who has no idea what I have or have not done).
Get email approval back.
Attatch it to invoice and send to agency.
Get paid.

Three systems on the go atm.

Current Client A : Fill in an online form managed by the Agency and submit. Screen shot and send copy to Client Co. contact (at some point, no huge rush). Get Paid, regardless of step 2 being done.

Current Client B : Fill in a spread sheet. Send to client contact. Copy to Agent. Get paid.

All on billable time of course.

Client C (My favorite) : "Can you invoice us for the unused days (5) left on the PO, we need to spend the money before year end. We'll find something to do with the time later."

[FatLazyContractor]

Current agency uses Online timesheets on their portal (Self-billing). All I do is fill in the number of hours worked per day and submit it. It usually gets approved in the next hour or so (good manager ).

Worst was - print a form, fill things in with a pen, sign it, scan it and email it to the agency

Lucky to have got paid on time every time.

[FatLazyContractor]

The worst one I've used was with a large Telecoms client a few years ago.

Fill in an online form (Client CO managed) and submit it.
Then take a screen shot of the submitted form.
Print it.
Get it signed by someone I dont report to and who has no budget responsibility and doesnt know what I do.
Scan it.
Send it to someone else (200 miles away and who has no idea what I have or have not done).
Get email approval back.
Attatch it to invoice and send to agency.
Get paid.

That was evil

Did you invoice them for the waiting ?

[northernladuk]

<Placeholder for PC's tale of woe>

[DaveB]

That was evil

Did you invoice them for the waiting ?

It would have been, but everyone involved was so heartily sick of the whole thing they just went through the mnotions and approved it regardless.

There were contractors who had been there for years and who only ever showed up on a Friday to complete their timesheets. No-one knew what they did, or if they actually did anything at all. I'm convinced some of them had actually retired!

[SussexSeagull]

Just realised I haven't used a fax machine in about 4 years!

[northernladuk]

Just realised I haven't used a fax machine in about 4 years!

Who would you send a fax to? 1980? 😁