What is the difference between "Positive time recording" and "Negative time recording"

SAP Time Management
What is the difference between positive and negative time recording?

It is common for employees to record their working time periodically.

Consider regular salaried employees, who are supposed to work regularly 8 hours, and it is a common practice among employees to work 8 hours every day. In this case it is better only to record deviation to the work schedule. If there is no deviation to the work schedule, no time sheet will be entered.

Consider another scenario, where it is common for employees to work unspecified number of extra hours, or common to work less than regular hours. In these cases it is better to enter working hours daily so that there is minimum rework at the end of the period.



Let us consider few simple examples:

Scenario 1:
As per Employee's work schedule she is supposed to work 8 hours every day.
Employee works only 8 hours every day.

Positive Time recording --> Enter 8 hours for every day in the time sheet.
Negative time recording --> Do not enter anything in the time sheet.

Scenario 2:
As per Employee's work schedule she is supposed to work 8 hours every day.
On Monday he works 8 hours
On Tuesday he works 5 hours. ( 3 hours of leave )
On Wednesday he works 10 hours ( 2 hours of Over time )
On Thursday he works 12 hours ( 4 hours of Over time )
On Friday he works 2 hours ( 6 hours of leave)

Positive Time recording -->
Monday - Enter 8 hours of regular work.
Tuesday - Enter 5 hours of regular work.
Wednesday - Enter 8 hours of regular work and 2 hours of OT
Thursday - Enter 8 hours of regular work and 4 hours of OT
Friday - Enter 2 hours of regular hours.

Negative time recording -->
Monday - No time sheet entry
Tuesday - Enter 3 hours of absence.
Wednesday - Enter 2 hours of OT.
Thursday - Enter 4 hours of OT.
Friday - Enter 6 hours of absence.

Hope it is clear now. If you have any questions leave a comment.