Riskcast allows companies to configure and use multiple labor cost types to better control how labor is tracked and applied to cost codes.

When enabled:

• Each employee is assigned a specific labor cost type
• Employees can only log time against cost codes that match their assigned cost type

This helps ensure cleaner job costing, improved reporting accuracy, and prevents misclassified labor.

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When to Use Multiple Labor Cost Types

This feature is especially useful when:

• Different types of labor need to be tracked separately (e.g., field vs. shop, union vs. non-union)
• Cost codes are tied to specific labor classifications
• You want to enforce stricter controls on time entry

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Configuring Multiple Labor Cost Types

To enable this setting:

1. Navigate to Company Options
2. Select the Job Cost tab
3. Enable Allow Multiple Labor Cost Types

Once enabled:

• A Default Cost Type will be assigned (initially “L - Labor”)
• This default applies to all employees until updated
• After creating additional cost types, you can update the default as needed
• Updating the default will automatically update all employees to that new default cost type

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Managing Cost Types

Viewing Cost Types

1. Navigate to the Cost Types tab within your company settings
2. Review the list of existing cost types

Adding a New Cost Type

1. Click the “+” button
2. Complete the required fields
3. Save your changes

Editing a Cost Type

1. Click the pencil icon next to the cost type
2. Update the necessary fields
3. Save your changes

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Assigning a Cost Type to an Employee

To link an employee to a cost type:

1. Navigate to the employee’s record
2. Go to the Employee tab
3. Select the appropriate Cost Type from the top section

Note:
This field will only appear if multiple labor cost types are enabled.

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How Timecards Work with Multiple Labor Cost Types

Once configured, timecard behavior changes to enforce cost type rules:

• When entering time, only valid cost code combinations will be available
• Time entry cells will behave as follows:
  • Disabled:
    If the cost code does not include the employee’s assigned cost type
  • Enabled:
    If the cost code does include the employee’s assigned cost type

This ensures employees can only charge time to appropriate cost codes.

 

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Best Practices

• Define cost types before rollout: Establish clear categories (e.g., Labor, Shop, Operator) before enabling the feature.
• Align cost codes with cost types: Ensure cost codes are configured to accept the correct labor cost types.
• Train administrators first: Misconfiguration at the cost code or employee level can block time entry.
• Roll out in phases if needed: Start with a test project or group before enabling company-wide.
• Audit regularly: Periodically review employee assignments and cost code mappings for accuracy.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Enabling the feature without configuring cost codes first
• Assigning employees to incorrect cost types
• Changing the default cost type without understanding the impact
• Not communicating changes to field teams (can lead to confusion when entering time)