Travel Time Automatic Shifts

Travel Time Automatic Shifts

Automatic Travel Time Shifts Tip Sheet

Overview

The Automatic Travel Time Shifts feature allows Aaniie to automatically create travel time shifts when a caregiver travels between scheduled client visits at different addresses. These travel time shifts can be used to compensate caregivers for travel time between visits and ensure compliance with agency travel pay policies.

When enabled, the system calculates travel time based on the client addresses and automatically generates a travel shift between qualifying visits.


How Automatic Travel Time Shifts Work

When a caregiver:

  1. Clocks out of one client visit.

  2. Travels to another scheduled client visit at a different address.

  3. Clocks into the next scheduled visit.

Aaniie can automatically create a Travel Time shift between the two visits. The travel time is calculated using Google Maps estimated drive times between the client addresses.

Important

Automatic Travel Time shifts are only created when the caregiver performs normal clock-in and clock-out activity on their scheduled shifts.

Travel Time shifts are not automatically created when management manually creates punchcards.


Enabling Automatic Travel Time Shifts

Navigate to:

Menu → Settings → Site Settings

Locate the:

Accounting section.

Enable:

Enable Automatic Travel Time Shifts

Once enabled, additional configuration options become available.


Travel Time Configuration Options

Auto Travel Time Client

Select an administrative client that will be used to store and associate Travel Time shifts.

Many agencies create a dedicated administrative client such as:

  • Travel Time

  • Mileage Client

  • Travel Pay


Auto Travel Time Max Minutes Between Shifts

This setting determines the maximum number of minutes allowed between two shifts before Travel Time is no longer automatically generated.

Example

If set to:

240 minutes

Travel Time shifts will only be created when the gap between visits is 240 minutes or less.

Note

The guide references 240 minutes (4 hours) as a commonly used threshold, but agencies should consult their own legal or HR advisors regarding travel pay policies.


Auto Travel Time Extra Minutes

Allows additional paid minutes to be added beyond the calculated travel time.

Example

If Google Maps estimates:

15 minutes

And Extra Minutes is set to:

10 minutes

The Travel Time shift would pay:

25 minutes

This setting is commonly used when agencies want to provide additional time between visits.


Auto Travel Time Default Hourly Rate

This setting determines the hourly wage paid for Travel Time shifts.

The rate entered here becomes the agency default unless overridden at the caregiver level.


Travel Time Charge Codes

Optional charge codes can be assigned for:

  • Regular Travel Time

  • Time-and-a-Half Travel Time

  • Double-Time Travel Time

These charge codes assist with payroll tracking and reporting.


Auto Travel Time Excluded Facilities

Facilities can be excluded from automatic Travel Time generation.

Common Use Case

If a caregiver is moving between clients located within the same facility, the agency may choose not to pay travel time because no meaningful travel occurs.

Excluded facilities will not generate Travel Time shifts when caregivers move between clients within that same facility.


Saving the Configuration

After all settings have been configured:

Click:

Save Settings

to activate the feature.


Staff-Specific Travel Time Rates

Travel Time pay rates can be customized for individual caregivers.

Menu → Staff → Staff Management

  1. Locate the caregiver.

  2. Click the + next to their profile picture.

  3. Locate the Travel Time Rate field.


Agency Default

Selecting:

Agency Default

uses the Travel Time hourly rate configured in Site Settings.


Custom Travel Time Rate

Enter a specific amount if the caregiver should receive a different Travel Time rate than the agency default.


Disable Travel Time for a Caregiver

Entering:

0.00

prevents Travel Time shifts from being created for that caregiver and disables Travel Time pay.


Travel Time Shifts on the Scheduling Dashboard

Menu → Scheduling → Scheduling Dashboard

Schedulers continue creating client shifts normally.

When qualifying shifts exist, the system automatically creates the Travel Time shift between them.


How Travel Time Is Calculated

Travel Time is based on:

  • Client Address A

  • Client Address B

  • Google Maps estimated drive time

The system creates a shift representing the travel period between visits.


Caregiver Visibility

Travel Time shifts are visible to caregivers:

Web Browser Punchcard

The automatically generated shift appears on the caregiver's punchcard.

Mobile App

Travel Time shifts also appear in the caregiver mobile app for review.

Important

Caregivers do not clock into or out of Travel Time shifts.

The shifts are created automatically by the system.


Reviewing Travel Time Calculations

Travel Time shifts contain notes explaining how the payout was calculated.

To review:

  1. Open the Travel Time shift.

  2. Select Shift Notes.

The notes provide details regarding the generated travel time and any adjustments applied.


Manual Travel Time Entry

Automatic Travel Time creation does not occur when:

  • Management manually creates punchcards.

  • Auto-punch functionality is used for clock-ins and clock-outs.

In these situations:

  1. Open the Scheduling Dashboard.

  2. Create a manual shift.

  3. Select the Travel Time client.

  4. Select the Travel wage type.

These manually created Travel Time shifts appear in green on the Scheduling Dashboard.


Shift Tag Configuration

Travel Time shifts can be assigned a dedicated Shift Tag for reporting and filtering purposes.


Assigning a Travel Time Shift Tag

Navigate to the Travel Time client profile.

  1. Open the client profile.

  2. Go to Priority Info.

  3. Edit the Default Shift Tag.

  4. Select the desired Travel Time tag.

  5. Save the changes.


Benefits of Shift Tags

Once assigned, Travel Time shifts can be:

  • Filtered on the Scheduling Dashboard

  • Included in reporting filters

  • Easily identified in payroll reporting

  • Separated from regular client care shifts


Common Use Cases

Paying Caregivers Between Visits

Automatically compensate caregivers traveling between client homes.

Compliance and Payroll Tracking

Maintain documentation of paid travel time.

Travel Time Reporting

Use Shift Tags to isolate Travel Time shifts in reports.

Facility-Based Agencies

Exclude facilities where travel compensation is not applicable.


Troubleshooting

Travel Time Shift Not Created

Verify:

  • Automatic Travel Time Shifts is enabled.

  • The caregiver clocked into and out of both visits normally.

  • The time between shifts does not exceed the configured maximum.

  • The caregiver's Travel Time Rate is not set to 0.00.

Travel Time Appears Incorrect

Review:

  • Client addresses

  • Google Maps estimated drive time

  • Extra Minutes configuration

  • Shift Notes

Travel Time Not Created for Auto-Punched Visits

Travel Time must be entered manually when using auto-punch functionality.


Quick Reference

SettingPurpose
Auto Travel Time ClientAdministrative client used for Travel Time shifts
Max Minutes Between ShiftsMaximum gap allowed for Travel Time creation
Extra MinutesAdditional paid travel time
Default Hourly RateTravel Time pay rate
Excluded FacilitiesPrevents Travel Time creation within selected facilities
Travel Time RateCaregiver-specific override
Default Shift TagReporting and filtering

Key Takeaway

Automatic Travel Time Shifts allow Aaniie to automatically create and pay travel time shifts between qualifying client visits. By configuring Travel Time settings, assigning appropriate rates, and utilizing Travel Time shift tags, agencies can streamline travel pay management while maintaining accurate payroll and reporting records.

See attached PDF for tip sheet
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