For farmers and ranchers managing their workforce, time off refers to the periods when employees are not performing their regular duties. Time off can be a valuable benefit, allowing workers to rest, handle personal matters, or take care of family needs. Farm employers can offer both paid and unpaid time off, with policies tailored to the unique demands of farm or ranch operations. Common examples include vacation, sick leave, holidays, and bereavement leave.
Who Creates a Time Off Policy?
Farm owners and ranch managers are responsible for setting time off policies. These policies can vary depending on the needs of your operation. For instance, you may offer more flexible vacation options during slower seasons or around harvest time. FarmRaise payroll allows you to add and manage multiple time off policies that best suit your team.
How Does Time Off Work for Salaried Workers?
Salaried farm workers are typically considered to work 40 hours a week, spread over five days. However, since farm work often doesn’t fit a standard 9-to-5 schedule, you can decide how time off is accrued and how many hours are granted. Whether your employees are irrigating fields, managing livestock, or working in the farm office, you have the flexibility to adjust these settings to match the rhythm of your operation.
How to Update a Worker’s Time Off Balance
If you need to adjust a worker’s time off balance, here’s how to do it in FarmRaise:
Go to the worker's profile in your payroll account.
Locate the "Time Off" section and click "Edit."
You’ll see their current time off balance.
In the "Manage Balance" field, enter the number of hours to add or subtract. For example, if the worker has 50 hours and you want to reduce it to 45, enter “-5.”
Once the adjustment is made, click "Save."
Understanding Hours Worked on Payroll Runs
In payroll runs, you’ll see a column for "Hours Worked" for your employees. This column will display hours for salaried workers but can be edited for other compensation types like seasonal or contract workers. This is useful for farms where work hours can fluctuate based on the season or type of work being done.
Are Time Off Hours Shown on Pay Stubs?
Yes, time off hours appear on employees’ pay stubs. You’ll see a breakdown of the total hours used during that pay period as well as year-to-date amounts. This transparency helps your farm workers keep track of their time off balance.
How to Move a Worker from One Time Off Policy to Another
To change an employee’s time off policy in FarmRaise:
Go to the worker’s profile.
Locate the "Time Off" section and click "Edit."
Under "Time Off Policy," you’ll see the worker’s current policy.
If you have multiple policies, you can select a new one from the dropdown menu.
Confirm the change and click "Save."
Can Unlimited Time Off Roll Over?
Yes, if you want your employees to carry over an unlimited amount of time off, simply leave the "Carry-Over" field blank when setting up the policy. This could be helpful if your farm’s workload is seasonal and workers need to save their time off for certain times of the year.
Is Time Off Included in Off-Cycle Payrolls?
Typically, time off is not included in off-cycle payroll runs, as these are calculated on a regular pay-period basis. However, you can choose to include time off if needed when processing an off-cycle payroll, such as when an employee takes emergency leave.
By managing time off policies effectively, you can help ensure your farm or ranch runs smoothly, while also offering your employees the flexibility they need to recharge and take care of personal matters. With FarmRaise, keeping track of time off balances and updating policies is straightforward, giving you more time to focus on the work that matters most.