At Cocoon, we understand that every employee’s work schedule is unique, shaped by their role, industry, and personal circumstances. To provide seamless leave management and compliance support, we’re building tools designed to accommodate a range of work schedules.
In this article, we’ll outline the main types of weekly work schedules we currently support. Our goal is to provide full transparency and ensure a smooth leave experience, no matter your work schedule.
Schedule types currently supported by Cocoon
Standard Schedules
Definition: A predictable and fixed schedule, typically Monday through Friday, 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week.
Note: It's okay (and common) if you don't always adhere to these exact hours. The important piece is your official schedule according to your employer.
Example: Full-time, salaried employees with traditional schedules
Stable Non-Standard Schedules
Definition: Any schedule that does not follow the traditional Monday-Friday, 8-hour-day structure, but is fixed (i.e. does not vary week over week)
Examples:
An employee who works every Mon, Weds, and Fri from 9am-5pm
An employee who works Mon-Fri, 8am-12pm
An employee who works from 9am-5pm every Sat and Sun
Variable Schedules
Definition: A non-standard schedule that can vary from week to week. While hours are not consistent, variable schedule employees typically receive a schedule from their employer in advance (before showing up to work).
Examples:
An employee who works three shifts per week on different days
An employee who typically works Mon-Fri 9am-1pm, but sometimes picks up additional shifts from 1-5pm
An employee who always works 20 hours per week and gets their exact schedule at the start of each month
Selecting your schedule type during leave design
During leave design, Cocoon will ask you a series of questions to understand your schedule type. These steps ensure we capture your schedule accurately to correctly calculate the leave time and pay available to you.
First, we need to know if your work hours are the same each week or if they vary.
If you choose Yes to the question above, we will ask you what your typical work schedule looks like (screenshot below).
Most full-time, salaried employees in corporate roles should choose Option 1. Other indications this option applies to you might be:
You do not receive a published work schedule from your employer
You are not required to record or submit timesheet
If you work less than 40 hours per week, work different days than M-F, or are part-time, you should select Option 2: "My schedule differs from the above."
If you’re unsure which option applies to you, don’t hesitate to reach out to your HR team or Cocoon Support for guidance.
Reporting your hours
If you selected Option 1, the next step is to report your hours. This process is simple and straightforward:
Use the provided field to input your work hours.
Once you’ve entered your hours, click “Next” to continue through the rest of the leave design flow.
By accurately reporting your hours here, you’ll ensure that Cocoon can correctly calculate the leave time, pay, and any benefits you're eligible for.
If you choose No to the question "Are the days and hours you work the same each week?" we will ask you if you receive a work schedule in advance (screenshot below).
Currently, Cocoon can only support employees who know their schedule in advance because we need you to report your anticipated schedule for the week you plan to take this leave. This enables us to accurately calculate your leave balances.
For continuous leaves, we'll collect your schedule during leave planning (screenshot below)
For intermittent leaves, we'll collect your schedule when you report absences
Have Questions? We're here to help!
Email us at [email protected]