---
title: "Manage technician idle time in Flexible Timekeeping"
slug: "manage-technician-idle-time-in-flexible-timekeeping"
updated: 2026-10-16T01:43:50Z
published: 2026-10-16T01:43:50Z
canonical: "help.servicetitan.com/manage-technician-idle-time-in-flexible-timekeeping"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.servicetitan.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Manage technician idle time in Flexible Timekeeping

## Overview

Idle time is when a technician is clocked in with Flexible Timekeeping (FTK), but isn't dispatched to, working on, or arrived at a job, and isn't on a paid or unpaid non-job activity. You can control how much of that idle time counts toward paid hours.

---

### 

#### Who uses this feature

- Administrators and managers

## Things to know

- If a technician has Simple Clock I/O enabled, idle time is paid based on the Idle Time Settings.
- Paid idle time laws vary by region. Contact your local labor office to learn more before changing your settings.

## Set idle time

1. Go to the top toolbar and click **Settings**.
2. In the side panel, go to **People > Payroll**. The *Payroll Settings* screen opens.
3. In the *Idle Time* section, click **Edit**.

![Edit Idle Time Settings](https://cdn.document360.io/961862ab-d0f2-4d91-bb62-a62ee8184eff/Images/Documentation/Idle Time Edit from Settings.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-12T08%3A18%3A47Z&se=2026-11-12T09%3A18%3A47Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=LS1GN4x95%2F%2BXsUPwbURe4eTatyEK%2Bg6Bb2kcTpSblwc%3D)

1. Under *How much idle time should be paid*, select one of the following options:
  - Never pay for Idle Time
  - Pay for all idle time: Idle time periods of any duration are paid
  - Use a custom threshold

![Idle Time Configurations](https://cdn.document360.io/961862ab-d0f2-4d91-bb62-a62ee8184eff/Images/Documentation/image-1790972329404.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-12T08%3A18%3A47Z&se=2026-11-12T09%3A18%3A47Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=LS1GN4x95%2F%2BXsUPwbURe4eTatyEK%2Bg6Bb2kcTpSblwc%3D)

1. When finished, click **Save Changes**.

## Run reports with idle time

You can create custom reports that include idle time using the *Timesheets* report template. Idle time periods are labeled in the *Timesheet Activity* column.

## FAQ

### Can I use Simple Clock I/O and Idle Time together in Flexible Timekeeping?

Yes. With Simple Clock I/O enabled, idle time is paid based on the Idle Time Settings. See [Turn on Simple Clock I/O in Flexible Timekeeping](/v1/docs/turn-on-simple-clock-i-o-in-flexible-timekeeping).

## Want to learn more?

- See [Payroll and Timekeeping Home](/v1/docs/payroll-and-timekeeping)
- See [Turn on Simple Clock I/O in Flexible Timekeeping](/v1/docs/turn-on-simple-clock-i-o-in-flexible-timekeeping)