Who approves my timesheet?
Last updated: November 4, 2026
Applies to: Workers whose hours are tracked in Ascen: US W-2 employees, independent contractors and Canadian T4 employees. If you are an international employee employed through a local employer outside the US and Canada, your time is handled by your in-country HR contact, so ask them instead.
Summary: Your timesheet is approved by the approver set up on your assignment, not by Ascen. Usually that is a manager or contact at the client company where you do the work. On some assignments, including shifts from a gig or scheduling app, your staffing agency approves your hours instead. If you are not sure who your approver is, ask your staffing agency: they set up your assignment and can chase a late approval.
Who it usually is
Someone at the client. In most cases your approver works at the company where you do the work, such as your manager or a site supervisor. They get an email asking them to review and approve your hours.
Your staffing agency. On some assignments your staffing agency approves your hours. If you pick up shifts through a gig or scheduling app, see If you get your shifts through a gig or scheduling app: how your hours reach Ascen.
Not Ascen. Ascen does not decide whether your hours are approved. We pay you once they are.
What your timesheet status means
Awaiting approval: your hours are submitted and waiting for your approver. You do not need to enter them again. See Why can't I edit my timesheet when it still says Awaiting approval?
Approved: your approver has signed off and your hours can now be paid. Approved does not mean the money has been sent yet: your pay goes out on your assignment's normal schedule. See When do I receive my paycheck? and, if you are on daily pay, How daily pay works (US W-2 employees).
Rejected: your approver did not approve the hours as entered, and you are notified. Ask your staffing agency what needs to change.
Until your hours are approved, they cannot be paid.
If your approval is late
Ask your staffing agency to follow up with your approver. If your approver is away, your staffing agency can arrange for someone else to approve.
Still waiting? See What to do when your timesheet is stuck in Awaiting Approval, or email support@ascen.com.
Where to get help
Your staffing agency: who your approver is, getting your hours approved, scheduling and timesheet entry.
Ascen at support@ascen.com: your pay once your hours are approved, and anything about your paycheck.