Harvest
Time Tracking
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Track Time for Remote Employees

Remote work demands efficient time tracking to enhance productivity and compliance. Harvest provides seamless integration and insightful reporting to manage remote teams effectively.

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How much revenue is your team leaving on the table?

Most agencies run at 55-60% utilization. Even a small improvement means significant revenue. See what closing the gap looks like for your team.

Number of people who track billable time
$
Blended rate across roles (junior, senior, lead)
55%
Percentage of total hours that are billable. Industry average is 55-60%.
75%
A realistic target for service businesses is 70-80%.
Monthly revenue gap $0
Revenue at current utilization $0/mo
Revenue at target utilization $0/mo
Extra billable hours needed per person/day 0h
Annual revenue opportunity $0

Start tracking team utilization

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
Acme Corp
Website Redesign
Homepage layout revisions
1:24:09
Content Strategy
Blog calendar planning
1:30:00
SEO Audit
Technical audit report
0:45:00
Brand Guidelines
Color system documentation
2:15:00
Logo Concepts
Initial sketches round 1
1:00:00
Today's total 6:54:09

The Evolving Landscape of Remote Work and the Need for Time Tracking

The shift to remote work has been significant, with a 159% increase since 2009. As of early 2025, 79% of U.S. employees whose jobs can be done remotely spend at least some time working remotely. This trend underscores the need for effective time tracking solutions to manage productivity and compliance in a distributed workforce. Time tracking offers a structured approach to monitoring work without resorting to intrusive surveillance, crucial for maintaining efficiency and transparency.

Remote work benefits include increased flexibility and reported productivity boosts of up to 24%. However, tracking hours and measuring productivity can be challenging without the right tools. Time tracking plays a vital role in establishing accountability and ensuring fair compensation, especially as employers are required under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to compensate non-exempt employees for all hours worked, including remote work.

Core Features of Effective Remote Time Tracking Solutions

When selecting a time tracking solution for remote employees, it is essential to look for features that enhance usability and integration. A user-friendly interface that offers automated, real-time tracking capabilities can significantly improve adoption rates. Additionally, tools that allow for project and task-specific time logging help maintain accurate records and accountability.

Effective solutions, like Harvest, integrate seamlessly with essential business tools such as payroll and project management systems. Harvest's integrations with platforms like Jira and GitHub enable streamlined task tracking, ensuring that all aspects of a project are covered. Reporting and analytics provide insights into time usage and productivity trends, aiding in better resource allocation and project profitability analysis.

Balancing Productivity Monitoring with Employee Trust

One of the main challenges of time tracking is ensuring it does not become intrusive. Employees value their privacy, with 98% in the U.S. desiring the option to work remotely and 60% willing to change jobs if remote options were removed. Therefore, it's crucial to implement strategies that focus on outcomes rather than constant activity monitoring.

Harvest addresses these concerns by offering privacy features that allow employees to manage their non-work time without penalization. By focusing on deliverables and results, rather than monitoring every keystroke, Harvest helps foster a culture of trust and accountability. Clear communication about the purpose of time tracking is essential to avoid the negative impacts of surveillance-style monitoring on morale and turnover.

Implementing Time Tracking: Best Practices and Compliance

Introducing time tracking to remote teams involves setting clear expectations and guidelines. Employers should define specific work hours and productivity expectations, ensuring compliance with labor laws like the FLSA regarding compensable hours and breaks. Involving employees in discussions about the chosen solution, like Harvest, and providing adequate training can facilitate smoother adoption.

To streamline workflows, it's advisable to choose tools that integrate with existing systems, such as payroll and project management software. Harvest stands out with its ability to integrate seamlessly with platforms like Slack and Asana, enhancing team collaboration and efficiency. Regular check-ins and feedback sessions, supported by data-driven insights from time tracking, can help address challenges and support continuous improvement.

Track Time with Harvest

See how Harvest tracks time for remote employees, offering seamless integration with project management tools.

Harvest time tracking interface for remote employees

Track Time for Remote Employees FAQs

  • To effectively track time for remote employees, use tools that offer features like one-click timers, detailed reporting, and project-specific logging. Harvest provides these capabilities along with integrations with platforms like Jira and Slack, making it easier to manage remote teams.

  • Time tracking tools enhance productivity by up to 20% and ensure compliance with labor laws. Tools like Harvest offer insights into productivity trends and help allocate resources efficiently, supporting both team management and employee well-being.

  • Harvest integrates with various project management and communication tools, including Asana, Trello, Jira, Slack, GitHub, and more. These integrations streamline workflows by syncing data across platforms, enhancing productivity and collaboration.

  • Look for features such as automated time logging, detailed reporting, integrations with project management tools, and user-friendly interfaces. Harvest offers these features, ensuring ease of use and comprehensive data insights.

  • Harvest respects employee privacy by not tracking non-work-related activities. It allows employees to manage their non-work time without penalization, focusing on deliverables and results rather than intrusive monitoring.

  • Many time tracking tools offer free trials or basic plans. Harvest provides a free 30-day trial, allowing you to explore its features and determine if it meets your remote team’s needs.

  • Time tracking helps identify overwork and supports structured work schedules, encouraging employees to take necessary breaks. Tools like Harvest use data insights to promote a healthier work-life balance.