Hello there! If you’re reading this, chances are you’re part of a company that received an SBIR grant or some other federal funding. That’s awesome! That’s great news! But with those dollars comes a responsibility: tracking your time. Don’t worry, though; we’ve got a Slack bot to make it super easy. Let’s break it all down.

I'm a Full-Time Employee. Why Do I Need to Track My Time?

This is easily the most frequent question we get. It isn't just busywork—it’s a key requirement for keeping your company compliant and getting paid.

• It’s required by Federal Grants or Federal Contracts with Level-of-Effort requirements

  Federal funding comes from taxpayers, so Uncle Sam needs to make sure every taxpayer dollar is spent right. Otherwise, auditors can penalize or even withdraw the funding.

• It ensures your company can maximize funding for your project

  Many grants are reimbursement-based. Labor is usually of project costs, and accurate timesheets are key to justify how much your company can withdraw from the grant.

  
  

• It’s often required for other credits.

  Some tax credits, like the R&D Tax Credit, may also require timesheets to back up your company’s claims. By tracking your time properly, you’re helping your company benefit from all the funding and credits it’s eligible for.

When you log your time, you’re not just helping your company meet requirements—you’re actively contributing to its success.

What if I'm not working on an SBIR project?

Even if you don't work on the SBIR project directly, you may contribute to the project indirectly. Federal grants allow companies to claim indirect costs as a reason for withdrawal. Having complete timesheets also helps federal auditors ensure no shenanigans.

What About Vendors?

If you’re a vendor or independent contractor, tracking your time might also be part of your gig. Depending on your contract, the hours you track could affect how much you bill.

How Our Slack Bot Makes It Easy

We know time tracking can feel like a chore, so our Slack bot is designed to take the hassle out of the process. Here’s how it works:

1. Daily Message at 5 PM

The bot sends you a friendly nudge every day at 5 PM (based on your Slack timezone). You can log your time in slack on your phone or laptop—quick and painless.

2. Pre-Filled Hours to Save You Time

Your admin has already pre-allocated hours for you based on your schedule or role. If you work more or less, you can adjust it as necessary and hit submit.

3. Federal Holidays? No Problem

The bot tracks federal holidays and will pre-fill your timesheet with 8 hours of holidays for those days. It still sends message during holidays in case you are working overtime.

4. Catch Up on Missed Days

Forgot to log yesterday’s hours? No sweat! You can scroll back through previous messages and update your timesheets anytime.

Why Does the Government Care About Timesheets?

The short answer: accountability. The long answer:

• Proof of Work – The federal government gets scrutinized constantly. There were many past scandals where contractors took funds without the work. Timesheets show that work is being done and funds are spent on real progress.

  
  

• Fairness – They ensure no one gets over- or under-paid, keeping salaries fair.

  
  

• Worker Rights – They protect employees by documenting labor and ensuring proper compensation, so the government doesn't accidentally run a sweatshop.

Got Questions?

If you’re unsure about anything—whether it’s how to use the bot or why time tracking matters—your admin or compliance officer is just a Slack message away. Don’t hesitate to ask!