How do we handle attendance across many timezones?

Pick one reference timezone for reporting and cut-offs, record each person's local timezone next to their schedule, and convert start and end times to local time. Set a daily cut-off that is fair to people in later timezones so nobody is penalized for being far from the reference.

Should remote attendance be tracked by hours or by output?

Both are valid and many teams blend them. Use core overlap hours when everyone must be reachable, and treat the rest as flexible or async as long as expectations are met. Write down which approach applies to each role so it stays fair and predictable.

What is the simplest way for a remote team to clock in?

Choose one method the whole team can use from any device: a chat command, a browser check-in page, or a mobile app. The best method is the one people will actually use every day, so keep it fast and low-friction and document what to do when someone forgets.

Checklist

Remote Team Attendance Checklist

Tracking attendance for a remote or distributed team is different from a single office. People work across timezones, some hours are async, and fairness depends on written rules everyone can see. This free, downloadable checklist walks you through setting expectations, handling timezones, choosing a clock-in method, and keeping the whole process fair. Work through it once with your team and revisit it whenever you add new people or regions.

Download the checklistFree · Markdown (.md)

Set clear expectations

Agree the expected working hours for each person or role in writing
State whether hours are fixed, flexible, or fully async so nobody guesses
Define core overlap hours when everyone must be reachable
List which days count as working days for each region
Share where attendance rules live and make sure everyone can find them

Handle timezones

Pick one reference timezone for reporting and cut-offs
Record each person's local timezone next to their schedule
Convert start and end times to local time so nobody works the wrong window
Set a daily cut-off that is fair for people in later timezones
Flag holidays and observances that differ by country

Choose how people clock in

Decide the clock-in method: a chat command, a browser page, or a mobile check-in
Make sure the method works from any device and any network
Define a grace window for a few late minutes before it counts as late
Agree how breaks and lunch are logged, if at all
Write down what to do when someone forgets to clock in or out

Keep it fair

Document the full attendance policy and share it with the whole team
Apply the same rules to every timezone and seniority level
Give people a clear, low-friction way to log leave and corrections
Review attendance data on a regular schedule, not only when there is a problem
Ask the team for feedback and update the policy when it stops fitting

How to use this checklist

1Download the checklist and open it in a shared doc or your team wiki.
2Work through each group with your team, filling in your own hours, timezones, and clock-in method.
3Save the finished version as your written attendance policy and revisit it whenever your team grows or changes regions.

Do it automatically in Tickin

Frequently asked questions

How do we handle attendance across many timezones?: Pick one reference timezone for reporting and cut-offs, record each person's local timezone next to their schedule, and convert start and end times to local time. Set a daily cut-off that is fair to people in later timezones so nobody is penalized for being far from the reference.
Should remote attendance be tracked by hours or by output?: Both are valid and many teams blend them. Use core overlap hours when everyone must be reachable, and treat the rest as flexible or async as long as expectations are met. Write down which approach applies to each role so it stays fair and predictable.
What is the simplest way for a remote team to clock in?: Choose one method the whole team can use from any device: a chat command, a browser check-in page, or a mobile app. The best method is the one people will actually use every day, so keep it fast and low-friction and document what to do when someone forgets.