What is "Is Half Day" in Shift Template

For steps on how to set up a shift, refer here: Creating Shift Template

When setting up a shift, the "Is Half Day" option will appear as part of the shift template. This button appears in Normal, Semi-Flexible, and Flexible shift types.

• Leave requests will be processed as half-day leave, regardless of whether you request a full or half-day. 
• However, if you are absent, this will result in a full-day deduction. 

System Logic Treats “Absent” as a Total No-Show
When an employee is marked as Absent, the system reads it as a complete failure to report for duty— regardless of whether the shift is full or half-day. 

• There is no indication of approval, reason, or official leave.
• As a result, the system triggers the default deduction for one full day’s salary based on absence logic.
  
  
  

Best Practice Recommendation
For half-day shifts: 

• If the employee was not present, but the absence is approved, please submit a leave application. 
• Avoid letting it fall into “Absent” status unless it's truly an unapproved no-show.

Example
Employee [CP] Test was assigned a half-day shift on 2 Sept and 3 Sept 2025. 

On 02 Sept, CP Test applied for annual leave. 

On 03 Sept, CP Test was absent.

A) Scenario for Leave Application

Any leave applied on a day assigned with a half-day shift will be counted as 0.5 day instead of a full day.

Example:
When an employee applies for leave on a day assigned with a half-day shift, only 0.5 day will be deducted from their leave balance, even if they select a full-day leave.

See the screenshot below for individual leave history. 02 Sept was recorded as a half-day leave.

B) Scenario for Absenteeism

If an employee is absent on a day with a half-day shift, the system records it as a full-day absence. When the payroll policy includes Pull Absent into Unpaid Leave, a full-day salary deduction will be triggered, regardless of whether the scheduled shift is full-day or half-day.

See the screenshot below for Sept payroll, 03 Sept was deducted as one full day. 

This happens because no "Leave" or "Time Off" is recorded in the employee’s attendance, so the system flags it as "Absent" and applies a full-day deduction.

By contrast, when the attendance is recorded as "Leave" or "Time Off", the system recognizes it and deducts only the scheduled hours missed. This means for half-day shifts, a half-day leave or time off request must be submitted and approved.

The above follows Worksy system logic for absenteeism. 

We hope this article helps clarify the issues. If you require additional assistance, do not hesitate to contact our support team.