Embedded Files
LETS (Lab Employee Time System) is the official time and attendance system for Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). LETS enables employees to enter their time worked and allows supervisors to review and approve employee timesheets.
LETS (Lab Employee Time System) is the official time and attendance system for Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). LETS enables employees to enter their time worked and allows supervisors to review and approve employee timesheets.
Sweep Date Deadlines
Sweep Date Deadlines
To ensure timely payroll processing, employees are responsible for entering and releasing their own time, and ensuring it is approved by their supervisor, before the scheduled sweep deadlines.
Employees Reporting Time Weekly
Employees Reporting Time Weekly
Time is automatically swept every Monday at 10:00 a.m., unless otherwise noted on the biweekly payroll calendar.
Employees Reporting Time Monthly
Employees Reporting Time Monthly
Employees who report time monthly should refer to the 2026 Monthly Sweep Schedule for the official sweep dates. In general, the monthly sweep occurs 6–8 days before the end of the month. During Fiscal Year-End (FYE) and End of Year (EOY) payroll processing, sweep dates may occur earlier than the standard schedule to accommodate year-end processing requirements.
Post-Releasing & Post-Approvals
Post-Releasing & Post-Approvals
Certify, Release, and Approve Time in LETS
LETS allows you to certify, release, and approve time after the sweep, replacing the previous signature report process.
Click here for step-by-step instructions.
Timesheet Corrections and Updates
Timesheet Corrections and Updates
If a sweep has already occurred and you need to make changes to your timecard, please submit an IT LETS Assistance Form using the link provided on the left.
Once submitted, your Timekeeper will be notified. The Timekeeper will make the necessary updates and provide a screenshot of the changes to you and your supervisor for review, release, and approval.
Requests may include the following:
Sick leave
Vacation
Other leave
Late time entry (for weekly employees)
Assistance entering time when LETS is unavailable
Labor adjustments (project number to project number)
FAQs
FAQs
How do I access my timecard and enter my time?
How do I access my timecard and enter my time?
Go to lets.lbl.gov in your web browser (Firefox, Chrome and Safari are recommended).
Log in using your Berkeley Lab account (aka LDAP, which is the same as your Berkeley Lab email login)*.
You should now be at the Employee Time Entry screen.
For detailed instructions on what to do once you've logged into LETS, go HERE for instructions (FMS1500 online course)
*If you are not sure whether you have a Berkeley Lab Identity/LDAP account, ask your supervisor, or call the Help Desk at x4357. If you have an LDAP but haven't activated it, or forgot your password, go HERE.
How do I Approve my employees' time in LETS?
How do I Approve my employees' time in LETS?
Go HERE for instructions (FMS 1505 online course)
More about sweeps
More about sweeps
Employee time is swept on regular intervals in order to ensure accurate pay checks. Employees must enter, Release, and Confirm their time cards prior to these deadlines and should allow time for their supervisor to approve the time cards as well.
Bi-weekly paid employee time cards are swept on each Monday at 10am (on Tuesdays if Monday is a holiday). If a new month begins mid-week, there will also be an additional sweep on the 1st of the month for the last few days of the prior month.
Monthly paid employee time cards are swept two weeks prior to the end of the month at 10am. This date is not consistent from month to month -- it is based on what day the end of the month falls on and where it is in relation to the weekend. See above for upcoming sweep dates or refer to the Berkeley Lab UCPath site.
You can enter your time (for the current month) and Release it at any time before the sweep. This is particularly useful if you'll be away during the sweep.
What if I need to change my timesheet?
What if I need to change my timesheet?
If the sweep hasn't happened yet: You can make the changes yourself. If your supervisor has already approved your timesheet, first ask them to unapprove your timesheet. Click the UnRelease button if you've already Released your timesheet, then make your changes. You may need to Delete the incorrect line, if the Modify button won't accept your changes. Be sure to Release your timesheet again (and Confirm). Let your supervisor know it's ok for them to Approve your timesheet again.
If the sweep has already occurred: Please complete the IT LETS Assistance form.
I missed the sweep deadline!
I missed the sweep deadline!
If the timesheet was not released or approved
If you have missed the scheduled sweep, you must complete a Signature Required Report for the closed period. You will receive an email notification with the periods you have missed. You can now log on to LETS and certify and/or approve the missed timecard(s) in the system. LETS will note on the timecard that this action has been done after the sweep.
If the timesheet is not correct, or if you didn't input your hours in time - Please complete the IT LETS Assistance form.
How to add Project IDs & Activity IDs to Favorites
How to add Project IDs & Activity IDs to Favorites
To assist you in remembering the project ID/activity ID to which you will be charging your work hours, you can save them to your Favorites by following the below instructions:
Log into LETS.
On your Time Entry screen, click on the last green tab labeled “Maintain Favorites”.
Enter your project ID and activity ID and click the Add button.
It should now show in the below list of favorites along with the descriptions for those codes.
You can also remove a favorite at any time by clicking the Delete button for that row.
Contact:
Contact:
Tonisha Garza, IT Division Timekeeper
Additional Resources
Additional Resources
Page updated
Report abuse