My onboarding is complete but I still can't enter time
Last updated: October 28, 2026
Applies to: US W-2 employees, Canada T4 employees and independent contractors who enter their own time in Ascen. Form I-9 applies only to US W-2 employees, and business verification only to independent contractors, so skip the checks that don't apply to you. International employees outside the US and Canada don't enter time in Ascen.
Summary: If your onboarding looks complete but you still can't enter time, one step is usually still pending in the background. Check these in order: Form I-9 Section 2, identity verification, an unsigned agreement, a background check or drug test, tax forms, and direct deposit. Then log out and log back in. If everything shows complete and you still can't enter time, email support@ascen.com with your start date.
Check these in order
Form I-9 Section 2 (US W-2 employees). Your Authorized Representative must complete Section 2, and Ascen must finish reviewing it. A document that was rejected or is still pending review blocks time entry until it is reviewed or reset. If you see "You cannot add time for this date, please contact support.", this is the most likely cause. You also can't enter time for dates before Section 2 was completed.
Identity verification. If your ID check didn't pass or is still under review, time entry stays locked. See Completing identity verification (and what to do if it fails).
An unsigned agreement. Make sure every agreement or document you were asked to sign is signed, including one sent after you finished onboarding.
Background check or drug test. If your assignment requires one and it is still pending or under review, you may see "Unable to enter time before manual profile review is completed".
Tax forms. Your federal and state withholding forms (US) or TD1 (Canada) must be submitted.
Direct deposit. Your bank account must be set up.
Independent contractors: also check that your business verification has cleared and your Certificate of Insurance (if required) has been approved, not just uploaded.
Then log out and log back in
Some steps finish in the background. After you complete a step, log out of app.ascen.com, log back in and try again.
Other things that look like an onboarding problem
The week's deadline has passed. You see "Cannot enter time after the deadline, please contact support". Email your hours to timesheets@ascen.com. See How to Submit a Timesheet After Missing the Deadline.
There's no Enter Time button at all. Your staffing partner or client may enter time for you on this assignment. See Why don't I see an Enter Time button?.
Your assignment has ended. See Unable to Submit Timesheet: Assignment Appears Closed or Ended.
If everything shows complete
Email support@ascen.com and include:
your full name and assignment,
your assignment start date,
the exact error message you see, or a screenshot.
If you are already working, don't wait: email your hours to timesheets@ascen.com with the dates, start and end times, unpaid break and assignment, so they can be recorded and paid once the block is cleared.
Where to get help
Onboarding, I-9, identity verification, portal access and pay: support@ascen.com.
Hours you can't enter yourself: timesheets@ascen.com.
Schedule and timesheet approval: your staffing partner.