Harvest
Time Tracking
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Timesheet Calculator in China

Harvest is a time tracking and invoicing tool that helps teams and freelancers efficiently manage work hours and compliance. With one-click timers and detailed reporting, Harvest simplifies tracking billable and non-billable hours.

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How many hours did you work this week?

Enter your clock-in and clock-out times for each day. The calculator handles breaks, overtime, and weekly totals automatically.

Day Clock In Clock Out Break Hours
Total hours this week 0h
Regular hours (≤40) 0h
Overtime hours 0h
Average hours/day 0h
Total break time 0h

Track time automatically with Harvest

Walk through the entire flow below. Start a timer, check your reports, and create a real invoice — all in three clicks.

Go ahead — start tracking!

One click and you're timing. Try it right here: start a timer, add an entry, edit the details. This is exactly how it feels in Harvest.

  • One-click timer from browser, desktop & mobile
  • Works inside Jira, Asana, Trello, GitHub & 50+ tools
  • Duration or start/end — your call
  • Day, week & calendar views to stay on top of it all
  • Friendly reminders so no hour gets left behind
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Today's total 6:54:09

Understanding China's Work Hour Systems and Regulations

In China, understanding the work hour systems is crucial for compliance and effective workforce management. The standard work hour system mandates an 8-hour day and a 40-hour week, typically spread over five days. While an average of 44 hours per week is legally permissible, court precedents emphasize the 40-hour standard. Employers should be aware of the potential compliance risks associated with exceeding these limits, such as the unofficial "996" culture, which prescribes working from 9 AM to 9 PM, six days a week, and contradicts labor laws.

China also offers comprehensive and flexible work hour systems, which require approval from labor authorities. The comprehensive system averages work hours over longer periods, suitable for jobs with irregular shifts, while the flexible system, often for senior roles, allows for no fixed working hours. Legal overtime is capped at 3 hours per day and 36 hours per month, ensuring employee well-being and legal compliance.

Overtime Calculation and Compensation Rates in China

Calculating overtime in China requires understanding specific compensation rates, which vary depending on the day. On regular working days, overtime is compensated at 150% of the regular wage. If employees work on rest days and cannot take compensatory time off, they are paid at 200%. Public holidays warrant the highest compensation at 300%. With 13 public holidays annually, including Lunar New Year's Eve and a new holiday on May 2nd, employers must plan accordingly.

Employers need to adhere to the maximum allowable overtime of 36 hours per month to avoid legal issues. Accurate overtime calculation is critical, especially when public holidays are involved, which can shift monthly working days from 20.83 to 20.67. By ensuring correct overtime pay, companies not only comply with regulations but also maintain employee satisfaction.

Minimum Wage and Regional Variations Across China

In China, minimum wage rates are not uniform across the country, as they are set by local governments. For instance, Shanghai boasts the highest monthly minimum wage at RMB 2,740, while Liaoning offers the lowest at RMB 1,420. Similarly, Beijing has the highest hourly minimum wage at approximately RMB 27.7, whereas Heilongjiang has the lowest at RMB 13.0.

Employers must adhere to the local minimum wage standards where employees are based, impacting payroll calculations and compliance. Additionally, considerations for social insurance and housing fund contributions vary by region, adding another layer of complexity to managing payroll effectively across different jurisdictions.

Essential Timesheet Management Practices for Compliance

Effective timesheet management is pivotal to ensuring compliance with Chinese labor laws. Employers are legally required to maintain accurate records of employee working hours, including overtime. This record-keeping is crucial for resolving disputes and adhering to legal obligations. Implementing reliable time tracking systems, whether digital or manual, can help employers accurately capture start and end times, breaks, and overtime hours.

Moreover, drafting clear employment contracts that specify working hours, overtime policies, and compensation is essential. These contracts should be finalized within one month of employment to comply with legal requirements. By maintaining thorough records and clear communication, companies can ensure compliance and foster a transparent work environment.

Timesheet Calculator with Harvest

Explore how Harvest helps track work hours and holidays in China, ensuring compliance and accurate timesheet management.

Harvest timesheet calculator for tracking work hours in China

Timesheet Calculator in China FAQs

  • Overtime pay in China is calculated based on specific rates: 150% of the regular wage for weekdays, 200% for rest days, and 300% for public holidays. Employers must not exceed overtime limits of 3 hours per day and 36 hours per month.

  • In 2025, China has 13 public holidays, including Chinese Lunar New Year's Eve and a new holiday on May 2nd. These holidays impact monthly working day calculations, shifting them from 20.83 to 20.67 days.

  • Harvest offers a flexible time tracking system with one-click timers and detailed reporting. It simplifies tracking billable and non-billable hours, ensuring accurate timesheet management for compliance and payroll needs.

  • China's labor laws mandate a standard 8-hour workday and a 40-hour workweek, with overtime capped at 3 hours per day and 36 hours per month. Employers must keep accurate records to comply with these regulations.

  • Yes, minimum wage rates vary by region in China. Shanghai has the highest monthly minimum wage at RMB 2,740, while Liaoning has the lowest at RMB 1,420. Employers must comply with local wage standards.

  • Harvest integrates with popular tools like Asana, Trello, and Slack, enhancing its time tracking capabilities. This allows seamless data flow and improved project management for teams and freelancers.

  • China offers standard, comprehensive, and flexible work hour systems. The latter two require labor authority approval and are suitable for roles with irregular hours or performance-based assessments.