--- title: "Configure or Change a Pay Period" slug: "configure-or-change-a-pay-period" description: "Manage pay periods effectively with our Time and Attendance product. Learn to create, edit, archive, and recover pay periods for accurate payroll." updated: 2026-10-04T15:53:20Z published: 2026-10-04T15:53:20Z canonical: "help.workeasysoftware.com/configure-or-change-a-pay-period" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.workeasysoftware.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Configure or Change a Pay Period This guide is for managers and administrators who configure pay periods in the Time and Attendance product. You’ll learn how to create, edit, archive, and recover pay periods, and follow the rules required for accurate time tracking and payroll calculations. Use the Pay Period Configuration settings to manage how your organization’s time data is structured. Each pay period you create automatically generates the corresponding **Timesheets** that display under **Time and Attendance** in the left navigation. These timesheets include worked hours, overtime, and other pay elements for the selected date range. Follow the steps below to create, edit, archive, or recover pay periods. To configure submission and approval deadlines, refer to [**Configure pay period deadlines**](/docs/configure-pay-period-deadlines). ### Set up a Pay Period > **Optional:** Use **Global Settings > HR Data Management > Pay Schedule** only if you need more than one recurring schedule of the same frequency (for example, **Bi-weekly 1** and **Bi-weekly 2**). Any schedules you add there will appear in the **Pay period schedule** dropdown when creating pay periods. 1. Go to **Global Settings**. Under **Time Tracking**, click **Pay Period Configuration**. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/88d7ebef-752e-45d9-95e1-ee13bd7279c5/Images/Documentation/image-EOVE8FWV.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T11%3A46%3A45Z&se=2026-11-01T12%3A46%3A45Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=kcNlMrIvkDOxazApMuqvv74T1%2BafH30ebaRtJjwTEM8%3D) 1. Click the ellipsis button > **Add**. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/88d7ebef-752e-45d9-95e1-ee13bd7279c5/Images/Documentation/image-3ER07TR4.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T11%3A46%3A45Z&se=2026-11-01T12%3A46%3A45Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=kcNlMrIvkDOxazApMuqvv74T1%2BafH30ebaRtJjwTEM8%3D) 1. In **Pay period schedule**, select the schedule you want to use. If you created additional schedules in Pay Schedule, they will be listed here (for example, **Bi-weekly 1** and **Bi-weekly 2**). Then set **First day of the work week**, **Beginning on date**, and **At** (start time). **Note:** Always select the same weekday for **First day of the work week** and the **Beginning on** date. For instance, if the first day of the work week is Sunday, select the corresponding date on the calendar that falls on Sunday. 2. Enter a **Name** for the pay period, complete any remaining fields, and click **Save**. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/88d7ebef-752e-45d9-95e1-ee13bd7279c5/Images/Documentation/image-A0RNHUPP.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T11%3A46%3A45Z&se=2026-11-01T12%3A46%3A45Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=kcNlMrIvkDOxazApMuqvv74T1%2BafH30ebaRtJjwTEM8%3D) ## Create additional pay periods You can create multiple pay periods for any frequency (weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly, monthly, or custom). The biweekly example above is just one possible setup. Add as many schedules as needed in **HR Data Management > Pay Schedule**, then select each one from the **Pay period schedule** dropdown when adding pay periods. ### Best practices for multiple pay periods If your organization uses more than one pay period, keep these best practices in mind: - You can add as many pay periods as needed, as long as each pay schedule has a unique name. - Create additional pay periods only when necessary for different groups, such as separate departments, locations, or union and non-union employees. - Use clear, consistent names (for example, **Bi-weekly 1**, **Bi-weekly 2**, or **Monthly East**, **Monthly West**). - Make sure pay period dates do not overlap to avoid duplicate timesheets and payroll errors. - Assign each employee to the correct pay schedule in their profile settings. - Regularly review and archive unused pay periods to keep your configuration clean and accurate. This flexibility allows you to manage multiple teams or payroll cycles efficiently across any pay frequency. > [!WARNING] > **Important**❗ > > - Creating a pay schedule alone does not generate timesheets. You must configure the pay period in **Global Settings > Time Tracking > Pay Period Configuration**. > - For hours to calculate correctly, select the same weekday for **First day of the work week** and the **Beginning on** date. > > ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/88d7ebef-752e-45d9-95e1-ee13bd7279c5/Images/Documentation/image-UCIPZSHM.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T11%3A46%3A45Z&se=2026-11-01T12%3A46%3A45Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=kcNlMrIvkDOxazApMuqvv74T1%2BafH30ebaRtJjwTEM8%3D) ### Archive, recover, or edit a pay period 1. To archive a pay period you no longer use, select it and click **Archive**. Deleting a pay period is not allowed. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/88d7ebef-752e-45d9-95e1-ee13bd7279c5/Images/Documentation/image-IIVNEXK1.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T11%3A46%3A45Z&se=2026-11-01T12%3A46%3A45Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=kcNlMrIvkDOxazApMuqvv74T1%2BafH30ebaRtJjwTEM8%3D) 1. To recover an archived pay period, click the filter icon. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/88d7ebef-752e-45d9-95e1-ee13bd7279c5/Images/Documentation/image-E7R5UW7Z.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T11%3A46%3A45Z&se=2026-11-01T12%3A46%3A45Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=kcNlMrIvkDOxazApMuqvv74T1%2BafH30ebaRtJjwTEM8%3D) 1. Under **Archive status**, select **Archived** and click **OK**. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/88d7ebef-752e-45d9-95e1-ee13bd7279c5/Images/Documentation/image-4WNIZSFP.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T11%3A46%3A45Z&se=2026-11-01T12%3A46%3A45Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=kcNlMrIvkDOxazApMuqvv74T1%2BafH30ebaRtJjwTEM8%3D) 1. Select the timesheet you want to make active and click **Recover**. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/88d7ebef-752e-45d9-95e1-ee13bd7279c5/Images/Documentation/image-FJ68NVB6.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T11%3A46%3A45Z&se=2026-11-01T12%3A46%3A45Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=kcNlMrIvkDOxazApMuqvv74T1%2BafH30ebaRtJjwTEM8%3D) 1. To change an active timesheet, click **Edit**. You can change the **Name** and the values under **Deadlines**, but not the values under **General**. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/88d7ebef-752e-45d9-95e1-ee13bd7279c5/Images/Documentation/image-16RMUKTR.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T11%3A46%3A45Z&se=2026-11-01T12%3A46%3A45Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=kcNlMrIvkDOxazApMuqvv74T1%2BafH30ebaRtJjwTEM8%3D) 1. Click **Save**. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/88d7ebef-752e-45d9-95e1-ee13bd7279c5/Images/Documentation/image-EISFG4DJ.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T11%3A46%3A45Z&se=2026-11-01T12%3A46%3A45Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=kcNlMrIvkDOxazApMuqvv74T1%2BafH30ebaRtJjwTEM8%3D) --- ### FAQ #### Is it possible to delete a pay period? No, deleting a pay period is not allowed. You can only archive it. #### How can I recover an archived pay period? Click the filter icon, select **Archived** under **Archive status**, and click **OK**. Then select the timesheet and click **Recover**. #### Can I edit the general values of an active pay period? No. You can only change the **Name** and the values under **Deadlines**. #### What should I check for accurate payroll calculations? Select the same weekday for **First day of the work week** and the **Beginning on** date. > [!NOTE] > If you have questions, please call us at (888) 783-1493, email [support@workeasysoftware.com](mailto:support@workeasysoftware.com), or [submit a ticket](https://www.workeasysoftware.com/resources/submit-a-ticket).