Overview
MotionOps can automatically remind your field workers to clock in and out at the right time — without you having to follow up manually. These reminders are delivered as push notifications on the mobile app, triggered by GPS location or hours worked during the day.
There are four types of alerts you can configure: a clock-in reminder when a worker arrives at a job site, a clock-out reminder when they leave, a shift end reminder after a set number of hours, and a break reminder when it's time to step away.
When to Use This Feature
Your team frequently forgets to start or stop their timer, creating timesheet gaps you have to correct manually.
You want to ensure accurate time tracking without micromanaging field workers.
Your business has shift length requirements or break policies you need to enforce consistently.
You're paying workers hourly and need reliable clock data for payroll.
How to Configure Alerts
Go to Business Settings by clicking the gear icon in the top right corner.
Navigate to the Business Configuration > Time and Payroll > Alerts & Reminders section.
Toggle each alert on or off using the switch next to its name. For the Shift End and Break alerts, also set the Notify After threshold in hours.
Changes save automatically. Alerts take effect immediately for all field workers using the mobile app.
Alert Types Explained
Clock-In Reminder
Sends a push notification when a worker's device enters the GPS boundary of a scheduled job location. The notification prompts them to start their timer.
When tapped, the notification opens the appointment details page directly.
This alert only fires if:
The job is scheduled for the current day.
The worker is not already clocked in.
The worker has just entered the geofence boundary.
If the worker is already clocked in before arriving, no alert is sent. The alert will not repeat for the same location entry unless the worker exits and re-enters the geofence, or a cooldown period has passed and the timer still hasn't started.
Clock-Out Reminder
Sends a push notification when a worker's device leaves the GPS boundary of a job location while their work timer is still running. The notification prompts them to stop the clock.
When tapped, the notification opens the Timesheets page.
This alert only fires if:
The worker is actively clocked in at the time of exit.
The geofence exit is confirmed (not caused by GPS drift).
Only one reminder is sent per exit event. The alert can re-trigger if the worker returns to the job site and leaves again.
Shift End Reminder
Sends a push notification once a worker's total logged work time for the day reaches the configured threshold and their timer is still running. This acts as a safety net for workers who stay on the clock past their normal shift length.
When tapped, the notification opens the Timesheets page.
The hour count includes active work time, and excludes logged breaks. The alert fires once when the threshold is crossed. If you update the threshold mid-day, the system recalculates eligibility immediately.
Break Reminder
Sends a push notification when a worker's combined work and drive time for the day reaches the configured threshold and no break has been logged yet. This helps businesses maintain break compliance without relying on workers to track it themselves.
When tapped, the notification opens the Timesheets page.
The hour count includes work time and drive time, and excludes any previously logged break time. Once the worker logs a break, no further break reminder is sent for that day.
Tips and Best Practices
Leave Clock-In and Clock-Out alerts on by default. These are the most impactful for timesheet accuracy and require no threshold configuration.
Set the Shift End threshold to match your standard workday. If your team works 8-hour shifts, set it to 8 — not lower, or you'll generate alerts mid-shift.
Use the Break alert to stay compliant. Many states require a meal break after 5 hours of work. Setting the threshold to 4.5–5 hours gives workers a heads-up in time.
Remind your team to allow location permissions on their mobile devices. GPS-based alerts (Clock-In and Clock-Out) will not fire if location access is denied.
Things to Know
Clock-In and Clock-Out alerts rely on GPS geofencing. Workers must have location permissions enabled on their device for these to function.
If a worker's device is offline, alerts are queued and evaluated once the device reconnects.
All time calculations use the worker's configured timezone.
These settings apply to all field workers in your business — alerts cannot be configured per individual employee.
This feature requires workers to be using the MotionOps mobile app with push notifications enabled.
Troubleshooting
A worker isn't receiving Clock-In or Clock-Out alerts.
Check that location permissions are set to Always (not "Only while using the app") on their device. Background location access is required for geofence triggers to work when the app isn't open.
The Shift End or Break alert isn't firing at the right time.
Confirm the Notify After threshold is set correctly in Business Settings. Also verify the worker's timezone is configured correctly in their profile, as all hour calculations are timezone-aware.
Workers are receiving duplicate alerts.
This can happen if a worker exits and re-enters a geofence multiple times, or if a cooldown period has elapsed without the timer being started. Review the worker's schedule and location history in the Timesheets section if the behavior seems unexpected.
Still need help? Reach out via the support chat or email support@motionops.com.