When are timesheets due?

Last updated: August 27, 2026

Applies to: US W-2 employees, Canada T4 employees and independent contractors who enter time in Ascen. If you work outside the US and Canada as an International EOR employee, your time runs on your local in-country schedule and these deadlines do not apply to you.

Summary: Submit your timesheet by the end of your workweek so your approved time makes the next pay run. Your exact workweek and deadline are set on your assignment and can differ from other workers', so go by your own assignment's schedule.

Your deadline follows your workweek

Timesheets run on a weekly cycle, but the week itself is set on your assignment. Most assignments use a Sunday-to-Saturday workweek, but your workweek can start on a different day — so don't assume it's the same as a coworker's on a different client or assignment.

Submit your time by the end of your workweek. There's a short grace window after your week closes, but don't rely on it — aim to have your time in as soon as the week ends. Once you submit, your timesheet goes to your client or Staffing Partner to approve, and approved time is what flows into payroll. (Approvers have a bit more time after that to sign off.)

Why the deadline matters

Your pay is based on approved time. If a timesheet isn't submitted and approved before the pay run for that period, those hours may roll to the next pay cycle. Getting your time in at the end of your workweek gives your approver time to review before payroll closes.

This differs by how you're engaged

US and Canada employees (W-2 / T4): the weekly workweek + deadline above applies.
Independent contractors: how and when you submit work follows your own pay frequency and terms rather than a fixed weekly employee payroll — see How independent contractors are paid (net terms).
International employees (outside the US and Canada): your time and pay run on your local, in-country schedule — your in-country payroll contact will tell you when your time is due. See How international employees are paid — payslips and local payroll.

Tips

Enter your time as you go instead of waiting until the end of the week — see How do I add time sheets?
Check the status of each timesheet so none are left as a Draft.
If you missed your deadline or a timesheet looks wrong, contact your Staffing Partner or email support@ascen.com.