Clock Rings Basics

📊 Clock Rings & Timekeeping for CCAs

Understanding how to properly clock in, clock out, and scan key events is essential to your pay, route evaluation, and performance documentation. This guide walks you through the basic clock ring functions every CCA needs to know, plus how to protect yourself with proper timekeeping practices.

⏱️ What Are Clock Rings?

Clock rings are time entries recorded in the USPS TACS (Time and Attendance Collection System). Each scan you make during the day — starting, stopping, leaving the office, returning — creates a timestamp that determines your work hours, route time, and overtime eligibility.

📲 Clock Ring Events You'll Use Daily

Begin Tour (BT): Clock in at the start of your shift.
Leave to Street (LTS): Scan when departing the office for your route.
Begin Lunch / End Lunch: Required for unpaid lunch breaks (typically 30 minutes).
Return to Office (RTO): Scan when you arrive back at the station.
End Tour (ET): Final scan of the day before clocking out.

Tip: Always check the scanner screen to confirm the event was recorded correctly. If you miss a scan, notify your supervisor immediately.

📋 What Counts as Work Time?

Casing mail, loading the vehicle, and preparing for delivery all count as "on the clock."
Driving, walking, and delivering on the route are street time and must be tracked properly.
Lunch breaks are unpaid — everything else should be recorded accurately with the correct ring.

🧾 What If You Need Overtime?

If you believe you won't complete your assignment within the scheduled time, submit a PS Form 3996 before leaving the office.
Supervisors may adjust your workload or approve extra time. If your request is denied but you're delayed, call the station from the street and notify them.
Document everything clearly — protect yourself from discipline and help maintain route accuracy.

⚠️ Common Clock Ring Mistakes

Forgetting to scan "Return to Office" before ending your tour
Not scanning "Begin/End Lunch" properly (results in incorrect pay)
Scanning events out of order or too early (e.g., LTS before you're actually ready)

📚 Related Pages & Tools

Final Tip

Your time is your paycheck — and your protection. Accurate clock rings ensure fair compensation, protect your route from overburdening, and support your credibility as a carrier. When uncertain, seek assistance from your station.