UKG Workforce is a suite of tools for clocking in, viewing schedules, requesting time off, and managing timecards. The exact features you see depend on which UKG product your employer uses and whether you’re an employee or a manager, but the core workflow is similar across versions: you log in through a web browser or mobile app, interact with your timecard and schedule, and submit or approve time entries each pay period.
Figure Out Which UKG Product You’re On
UKG sells several platforms, and the interface and menu options differ between them. The three you’re most likely to encounter are UKG Pro (typically used by organizations with 1,000 or more employees), UKG Ready (common at smaller and mid-size companies), and the older UKG Workforce Central. Your login page URL and the branding on your screen will usually tell you which one you’re using. If you’re unsure, ask your manager or HR department, because guides written for one version won’t always match the buttons you see on another.
Logging In for the First Time
Your employer controls access to UKG, so you’ll need three pieces of information from them before you can log in: your company’s server name or tenant URL, your username, and a temporary password. UKG itself does not have this information on file. It is managed entirely by your employer.
Once you have those credentials, navigate to the URL your company provided (or open the mobile app) and enter them. Most organizations will prompt you to create a new password and set up security questions on your first login. If your account gets locked after too many failed attempts, your manager or HR team can unlock it. Each UKG product has its own password reset flow: UKG Pro Workforce Management, UKG Ready, and UKG Central each have dedicated login help pages on the UKG Community site if you get stuck.
Setting Up the Mobile App
UKG offers mobile apps for both iOS and Android. Search for “UKG Pro” in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, then tap Get or Install. When the app opens for the first time, it will ask you to configure your connection. You’ll either enter your company email address or manually type in the server URL your employer gave you. The app walks you through both options during setup.
The mobile app lets you punch in and out, view your schedule, request time off, and check your timecard from your phone. Not every feature available on the desktop version appears in the app, so you may still need to use a browser for less common tasks like editing pay codes or running reports.
Clocking In and Managing Your Timecard
If your employer uses UKG for time tracking, you’ll clock in and out using one of several methods: a physical time clock at your workplace, the web browser interface, or the mobile app. The punch is recorded instantly and appears on your timecard.
Your timecard is the central record of your hours. To view it, navigate to “My Timecard” or “Timecard” from the main menu. You’ll see each day’s punches, total hours, and any exceptions (missed punches, late arrivals, or schedule deviations) flagged by the system. If you notice an error, such as a missed clock-out, you can typically submit a correction request that routes to your manager for approval. The exact steps vary by product version, but look for an “Add Punch” or “Request Edit” option on the timecard screen.
At the end of each pay period, many organizations require employees to approve their own timecard. This confirms you’ve reviewed your hours and believe they’re accurate. Open your timecard, verify each day, and click or tap “Approve.”
Viewing Schedules and Requesting Time Off
If your company publishes schedules through UKG, you’ll find them under a “My Schedule” or “Schedule” tab. The calendar view shows your assigned shifts, and you can typically toggle between daily, weekly, and monthly views. Some organizations also allow you to request shift swaps or pick up open shifts directly from this screen.
To request time off, look for a “Request Time Off” or “Leave Request” option, often accessible from both the schedule view and the main navigation menu. Select the dates, choose the time-off type (vacation, sick, personal), and submit. The request goes to your manager, who approves or denies it within UKG. You’ll receive a notification once a decision is made.
Manager Tools: Approving Timecards
If you manage a team, timecard approval is one of your most important recurring tasks in UKG. You can approve timecards one at a time or in bulk.
To approve a single timecard, open the employee’s timecard, select the appropriate pay period, verify the hours are correct, and click “Approve.” To handle multiple employees at once, go to the Employee Summary page, select the timeframe, check the boxes next to the employees whose timecards look accurate, and click “Approve.” This batch method saves significant time if you oversee a large team.
If you approve a timecard by mistake or new information comes in, you can reverse it. In table view, click “Remove Approval.” In list view, click “More Actions” and then “Remove Approval.” There’s also a “Remove All Approval” option that clears every manager approval on a timecard at once.
After approvals are finalized, many organizations require a sign-off step that locks the timecard for payroll processing. Click “Sign Off” to complete this. If something needs to change after sign-off, click “Remove Sign-Off” to reopen the timecard for edits.
Navigating the Dashboard
When you first log in, UKG presents a home page or dashboard with widgets tailored to your role. Employees typically see their next scheduled shift, recent timecard activity, pending time-off requests, and company announcements. Managers see additional tiles for team schedules, timecards needing approval, and exception flags.
Most widgets are clickable. Tapping “Timecards to Approve” takes you directly to the approval workflow. Tapping your own schedule opens the full calendar. Spend a few minutes clicking through each widget when you first start using the system so you know where everything lives. The main navigation menu (usually a hamburger icon or a sidebar) gives you access to every feature your employer has enabled, organized into categories like Timekeeping, Scheduling, Leave, and Reports.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
The most frequent problem users run into is simply not being able to log in. If you’ve forgotten your password, use the “Forgot Password” link on your login page. If your account is locked, your manager or HR admin needs to unlock it on the backend. UKG’s support site organizes login help by product (Pro Workforce Management, Ready, or Central), so make sure you’re following the guide that matches your version.
If the system isn’t loading properly, try clearing your browser cache or switching to a supported browser. UKG works best in current versions of Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari. Older versions of Internet Explorer can cause display issues. On mobile, make sure your app is updated to the latest version from your device’s app store.
For any issue your employer’s HR team can’t resolve, they can open a support case with UKG directly. Individual employees typically don’t have access to UKG’s support channels, so your first point of contact is always your supervisor or HR department.