Why don't I see an Enter Time button?

Last updated: October 28, 2026

Applies to: US W-2 employees, Canada T4 employees and independent contractors with an assignment in Ascen. If you work outside the US and Canada as an international employee, you don't enter time in Ascen at all, so you won't see this button and don't need it.

Summary: There are two usual reasons the Enter Time button is missing. Either your staffing partner or client enters time for you on this assignment, so time entry is turned off in your portal, or your onboarding isn't finished yet, most often because Section 2 of your Form I-9 hasn't been completed. Work out which one applies to you, then follow the steps below.

Reason 1: your staffing partner or client enters your time

On some assignments your staffing partner or client records your hours in their own system and sends them to Ascen. Time entry is then switched off in your portal, so there is no Enter Time button. This is expected and nothing is wrong.

What to do: ask your staffing partner or on-site supervisor how and where to report your hours, and their deadline. You can still log in to see your timesheets, paychecks and pay status once your hours are processed.

Reason 2: your onboarding isn't finished

You can't enter time until onboarding is complete. The step people most often miss is Form I-9 Section 2 (US W-2 employees only). You complete Section 1 yourself; Section 2 is completed by your Authorized Representative, a trusted adult other than you who checks your original documents. Until they finish it, you can't enter time.

What to do:

  1. Log in at app.ascen.com and look for any onboarding step still open.

  2. If Section 2 is open, ask your Authorized Representative to check their email (including spam) for the link and complete it. If you need a different representative, see How do I change my I-9 Authorized Representative?.

  3. Finish any other open step, such as identity verification, an unsigned agreement, tax forms or direct deposit.

See Why can't I submit my timesheet yet? for the full list of steps.

How to tell which one applies

  • You were told to enter your own time in Ascen, or you have before: it's most likely onboarding. Check your onboarding steps first.

  • Your staffing partner or client tracks your hours some other way (a timeclock, an app, a paper sheet): it's most likely Reason 1. Ask them.

  • Not sure: ask your staffing partner whether your time is entered in Ascen for this assignment.

If onboarding shows complete and the button is still missing

Log out and log back in, then check again. If it's still missing, see My onboarding is complete but I still can't enter time, or email support@ascen.com with your name, your assignment and your start date.

Don't wait if you are already working. If you have hours you can't enter, email them to timesheets@ascen.com with the dates, start and end times, unpaid break and assignment, so they can be recorded and paid.

Where to get help

  • Onboarding, I-9, portal access and pay: support@ascen.com.

  • Hours you can't enter yourself: timesheets@ascen.com.

  • Where to report your hours, your schedule and timesheet approval: your staffing partner.

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