Start Shift on the Kiosk

Start your shift by starting your shift at the kiosk. FabWise records your arrival time and sets up your break schedule.

Why it matters

Clocking in starts the clock on your shift. It records exactly when you arrived, generates your entitled meal break, and begins tracking your work time. Accurate shift starts mean accurate pay.

How it works

When you start your shift, FabWise looks at your schedule and the current time to determine:

Which shift are you starting? If you have one scheduled shift, it's selected automatically. If you have multiple, you pick one. If none are scheduled, you can start an unscheduled (ad-hoc) shift.
Are you early, on time, or late? If you're within a few minutes of your scheduled start (the rounding window), you're on time — no questions asked. If you're early or late, FabWise may ask a quick question about your intent.
Break schedule created. Based on your account's settings, your meal break is attached to your shift. You'll take it during your shift.

Where to find it

Kiosk: the main screen after entering your PIN
Who can use it: any hourly worker with a PIN

What you'll see

One scheduled shift, on time

You see your shift details (start time, end time, shift type) and a Start Shift button. One tap and you're started their shift.

One scheduled shift, early

You see a prompt: "You're early." Two options:
- "Start working now" — your shift starts at the current time (you may earn overtime)
- "I'll wait until [scheduled time]" — your shift starts at the scheduled time

One scheduled shift, late

You see a prompt: "Late start." Two options:
- "Just arriving" — your shift starts at the current time
- "Forgot to start your shift" — your shift starts at the scheduled time (you were already here)

Multiple scheduled shifts

You see a list of eligible shifts. Pick the one you're starting. Then the same early/on-time/late flow above.

No scheduled shift

You see an Unscheduled Shift option. Tapping it starts an ad-hoc shift at the current time. Your supervisor will review this shift.

What to do

Just start your shift when you arrive. Don't wait for the exact minute. If you're within the rounding window, you're on time automatically. If you're early or late, answer the quick question honestly — your supervisor sees the full picture either way.

Common questions

Q: What if I start your shift at the wrong time?
A: Tell your supervisor. They can see the actual clock time and adjust it during review if needed.

Q: What if I don't see my shift?
A: Your shift may not be scheduled for today, or it may have already been started. You can start an unscheduled shift instead — your supervisor will review it.

Q: Do I need to wait until my exact start time?
A: No. Clock in when you arrive. The system handles rounding. You won't be penalized for being a few minutes early.

[End Shift](end-shift.md)
[Taking a Break](breaks.md)
[Time Rounding](../time-tracking/time-rounding.md)

Last updated: 2026-05-24