What each type means
| Type | Full Name | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| RDO | Rostered Day Off | A paid day off earned when overtime hours accumulate to a set threshold — common in construction, manufacturing, and government roles under Australian Modern Awards |
| TIL | Time in Lieu | Hours banked instead of receiving overtime pay — employees take equivalent time off at a later date |
| Flexi Time | Flexible Time | The difference between hours worked and hours scheduled — positive balance means extra hours worked, negative means hours owed |
How RDO works in Shiftsheet
RDO accrual is based on overtime hours. When an employee works beyond their scheduled hours, those extra hours contribute to their RDO balance. How it accrues:- Admin sets the overtime-to-RDO conversion rate (e.g., every 8 hours of overtime = 1 RDO day)
- Admin sets the minimum threshold before accrual begins
- Overtime on weekends or public holidays can be weighted with a multiplier
- Balances update automatically each time a timesheet entry is approved
- Go to Leaves in the sidebar
- Click Request Leave
- Select RDO as the leave type
- Pick the date(s) and submit for manager approval
RDO balances are calculated automatically by Shiftsheet. Admins do not need to manually allocate RDO — only the policy rules need to be set.
How TIL works in Shiftsheet
TIL (Time in Lieu) lets employees bank overtime hours as time off instead of receiving overtime pay. It’s an alternative compensation method common across many Australian industries. How it accrues:- Admin configures TIL as the undertime/overtime handling policy under Settings → Overtime & Accrual
- When an employee works overtime, those hours accumulate in their TIL balance
- Balances are tracked in hours, not days
- Go to Leaves in the sidebar
- Click Request Leave
- Select TIL as the leave type
- Enter the hours or dates and submit
How Flexi Time works in Shiftsheet
Flexi Time tracks the running difference between hours an employee worked and hours they were scheduled to work.- Positive balance — employee has worked more hours than scheduled (can take time off)
- Negative balance — employee has worked fewer hours than scheduled (owes hours)
- Shiftsheet compares approved timesheet hours against the employee’s assigned schedule each day
- The difference is automatically added to or subtracted from the Flexi balance
- Go to Leaves in the sidebar
- Click Request Leave
- Select Flexi Time as the leave type
- Pick the dates and submit for manager approval
Comparing balances side by side
| RDO | TIL | Flexi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tracked in | Days | Hours | Hours |
| Auto-calculated | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Admin setup required | Yes (policy) | Yes (policy) | No |
| Employee can request leave | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Appears on Leaves page | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Common in | Awards-based roles | Office / professional | Flexible teams |
Frequently asked questions
Does Shiftsheet support RDO tracking for Australian employees?
Does Shiftsheet support RDO tracking for Australian employees?
Yes. Shiftsheet automatically calculates RDO accruals from approved overtime hours. Admins configure the conversion rate and threshold under Settings → Overtime & Accrual. RDOs appear as a leave type employees can request.
What is the difference between TIL and RDO in Shiftsheet?
What is the difference between TIL and RDO in Shiftsheet?
Both are forms of time off earned through overtime. RDO (Rostered Day Off) is typically governed by a Modern Award and accrues when overtime reaches a set threshold — often used in construction, government, or blue-collar industries. TIL (Time in Lieu) is a more flexible arrangement where any overtime hour can be converted directly into future time off, and is more common in office or professional settings. Shiftsheet supports both simultaneously.
Can an employee have both RDO and TIL balances at the same time?
Can an employee have both RDO and TIL balances at the same time?
Yes. An employee can accrue both RDO and TIL depending on how your company’s policy is configured. Each balance is tracked separately on the Leaves page.
How does Shiftsheet handle public holidays in RDO calculations?
How does Shiftsheet handle public holidays in RDO calculations?
Admins can attach a public holiday calendar to work schedules. Overtime worked on public holidays can be weighted with a multiplier (e.g., 1.5x or 2x) to calculate how much it contributes to the RDO balance.
What happens to Flexi Time if an employee leaves the company?
What happens to Flexi Time if an employee leaves the company?
Positive Flexi balances should be reconciled before an employee’s last day — either paid out or taken as leave, depending on your company’s policy and relevant Modern Award conditions. Shiftsheet gives admins full visibility of balances to assist with this.
Is Shiftsheet compliant with Fair Work Act requirements for overtime and TIL?
Is Shiftsheet compliant with Fair Work Act requirements for overtime and TIL?
Shiftsheet provides the tools to track and enforce your company’s overtime and TIL policies. However, the specific entitlements depend on the applicable Modern Award or Enterprise Agreement for each employee. We recommend confirming your accrual rules with a Fair Work-aware payroll professional or HR advisor.