--- title: How to Use the Test Bench description: The Test Bench lets you run sample timesheets through your award configuration to verify that overtime, penalties, allowances, and minimum engagement are calculated correctly — before publishing live. --- [Skip to content](https://help.jointimecloud.com/how-to-use-the-test-bench#main-content) [Contact us](https://help.jointimecloud.com/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) [![Timecloud-Logo-600-2](https://help.jointimecloud.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Timecloud-Logo-600-2.png?width=200&height=40&name=Timecloud-Logo-600-2.png)](https://help.jointimecloud.com/?hsLang=en) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Contact us](https://help.jointimecloud.com/kb-tickets/new) - [Go to app.jointimecloud.com](https://app.jointimecloud.com/) [Go to app.jointimecloud.com](https://app.jointimecloud.com/) Got questions? Ask away - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Service Portal](https://help.jointimecloud.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Payroll](https://help.jointimecloud.com/payroll?hsLang=en) # How to Use the Test Bench ## The Test Bench lets you run sample timesheets through your award configuration to verify that overtime, penalties, allowances, and minimum engagement are calculated correctly — before publishing live. Where to Find It You can access the Test Bench from two places: - Publish step — click the Test Bench button on Step 7 of the award wizard (accessed via Settings \> Payroll Rules \> Pay Rules and Calculations) - Edit mode — available in the URL path when editing a draft version --- Building Test Timesheets The Timesheets panel is where you create sample data to test against your rules. ### Adding a Row - Click Add Timesheet to add a new row. - Each row represents one day's work entry. ### Configuring a Timesheet Row Each row has the following fields:    | Field | Description | | --- | --- | | Date | Select the date using the date picker | | Day | Auto-populated based on the selected date | | Shift | Select a shift template, or click Add Shift to create a custom one | | Work Type | Choose: Working, Unpaid Break, or Paid Break | | Job Tracking | Select a job or click Add Job to create one | | Start Time | Enter the clock-in time | | End Time | Enter the clock-out time | | Allowances | Multi-select allowances to apply (grouped by employment type) | | Rate | Select which pay rate to use for this row | | Leave | Select a leave type, add leave, choose a public holiday, or add a public holiday |       ### Managing Rows - Delete a row using the delete icon in the Actions column. - Reset all rows using the Reset button to start fresh. - Add multiple rows to test a full week or pay period. --- Boundary Successor Timesheet The Boundary successor timesheet section sits below the main timesheets table. It lets you add a single optional row that represents the next-day portion of an overnight shift. ### What It's For - Test non-continuous daily overtime and public holiday calculations for shifts that cross midnight. - The boundary row is sent separately from the main timesheets, so the engine can evaluate each calendar day independently. ### How to Use It - Click Add boundary timesheet below the main table. - Configure the row exactly like a regular timesheet — pick a Shift, Start Time, End Time, Job, and optionally a Public Holiday from the Leave dropdown. - Only one boundary row is allowed. The Add boundary timesheet button is disabled once a row exists. - Delete the row using the delete icon to re-enable the button. ### Example Scenario An employee works a Night Shift from 21:00 to 05:00. The main timesheet covers the first calendar day (21:00–00:00) and the boundary row covers the next calendar day (00:00–05:00). If the second day is a public holiday, the engine applies public holiday non-continuous daily overtime rules to only those hours. --- Running the Test 1. Build your timesheet rows with the dates, times, shifts, and rates you want to test. 2. Click Run in the Timesheets panel. 3. The system processes your sample data through the configured award rules. 4. Results appear in the Output panel. > Note: The Run button is disabled if any required fields are missing or invalid. --- Reading the Output The Output panel shows the calculated results in a table:     | Column | Description | | --- | --- | | Base Rate | The ordinary hourly rate used | | Rule Name | Which award rule generated this line | | Rule Clause | The clause reference from your rule configuration | | Date | The date the calculation applies to | | Day | The day of the week | | Job Tracking | The job associated with this line | | Hours | The number of hours calculated | | Rate | The rate applied (e.g., 150% for overtime) | | Cost | The total cost for this line |       ### Filtering Output - Employment Type — select an employment type to filter results - Calculation State — filter by the state of the calculation to focus on specific rule outputs --- Finishing Up - Click Done to close the Test Bench and return to the award configuration. --- Tips - Test edge cases — include overtime days, public holidays, short shifts, and missing breaks to verify all rules work. - Test overnight shifts — use the boundary successor timesheet to verify that non-continuous overtime and public holiday rules apply correctly across midnight. - Check each rule — use the Rule Name column to confirm the right rules are firing. - Compare rates — verify that overtime multipliers and penalty rates match your award document. - Test before every publish — make it a habit to run the Test Bench before publishing a live version. - Use realistic data — model actual employee scenarios for the most accurate validation. - Multiple employment types — test each type separately to ensure type-specific rules work correctly. --- Related Topics - How to Publish Award Versions — go live after testing - How to Configure Daily Overtime Rules — set up the rules you are testing - How to Configure Penalty Rates — verify penalty calculations - How to Configure Minimum Engagement Rules — test minimum hour guarantees - [Account & Security](https://help.jointimecloud.com/account-security?hsLang=en) - [Attendance & Timesheets](https://help.jointimecloud.com/attendance-timesheets?hsLang=en) - [Award Interpretation](https://help.jointimecloud.com/award-interpretation?hsLang=en) - [Biometric Scanners](https://help.jointimecloud.com/biometric-scanners?hsLang=en) - [Employees](https://help.jointimecloud.com/employees?hsLang=en) - [Forms & Checklists](https://help.jointimecloud.com/forms-checklists?hsLang=en) - [Geofencing](https://help.jointimecloud.com/geofencing?hsLang=en) - [Human Resources](https://help.jointimecloud.com/human-resources?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Organisation View](https://help.jointimecloud.com/human-resources?hsLang=en#organisation-view) - [Integrations](https://help.jointimecloud.com/integrations?hsLang=en) - [Job Tracking](https://help.jointimecloud.com/job-tracking?hsLang=en) - [Leave Management](https://help.jointimecloud.com/leave-management?hsLang=en) - [Mobile App](https://help.jointimecloud.com/mobile-app?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Kiosk](https://help.jointimecloud.com/mobile-app?hsLang=en#kiosk) - [Mobile App](https://help.jointimecloud.com/mobile-app?hsLang=en#mobile-app) - [Payroll](https://help.jointimecloud.com/payroll?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Xero](https://help.jointimecloud.com/payroll?hsLang=en#xero) - [iPayroll](https://help.jointimecloud.com/payroll?hsLang=en#ipayroll) - [MYOB](https://help.jointimecloud.com/payroll?hsLang=en#myob) - [Smartly](https://help.jointimecloud.com/payroll?hsLang=en#smartly) - [Reporting](https://help.jointimecloud.com/reporting?hsLang=en) - [Roster](https://help.jointimecloud.com/roster?hsLang=en) - [Settings](https://help.jointimecloud.com/settings?hsLang=en) - [Shifts](https://help.jointimecloud.com/shifts?hsLang=en) - [Time Clock](https://help.jointimecloud.com/time-clock?hsLang=en) - [Dashboard](https://help.jointimecloud.com/dashboard?hsLang=en) Service Desk Copyright © 2025, Timecloud Ltd