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Purpose

The purpose of this quick reference guide is to step through the process of creating Breakpoints and Pay Code Caps using the Interpretation Rule Builder page. The intended audience for this document are system administrators / standard users.

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Steps

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Create Breakpoints and Pay Code Caps

Interpretation Rules are used to convert Timesheet Entries into Pay Transactions for payment of wages to Payees, taking into account various calculations for the amount of time worked. Interpretation Rules are created using the Interpretation Rule Builder, which consists of a series of dynamic fields that differ based on the record type selected. These fields are broken into several sections, some of which are optional, to allow for the interpretation of various Award types. See below for an ordered list of the QRGs related to each section of the Interpretation Rule Builder page for Hourly Rate, Shift End Time or Shift Start Time record types:
  1. Create Hourly Rate Interpretation Rules OR Create Shift-Based Interpretation Rules
  2. Create Break Loading and Minimum Rest Rules (optional)
  3. Create Split/Broken Shift and Sleepover Rules (optional)
  4. Create Allowance, Leave & Allowance Junction Rule Breakpoints (optional)
  5. Create Breakpoints and Pay Code Caps
Breakpoints are used during the Interpretation of Timesheet Entries. They determine the Pay Codes for Timesheet Entries based on the conditions defined in the related Interpretation Rule. Breakpoints must be created before the Interpretation Rule can be saved and finalised. Pay Code Caps define the limitations that apply to Breakpoints, ensuring any overlapping Breakpoints do not exceed the maximum number of Pay Code units per day or per calendar frequency. Create Breakpoints & Pay Code Caps using the Interpretation Rule Builder by following the below steps:
  1. Complete the required fields and populate Breakpoints within the Interpretation Rule Builder according to the instructions provided in the Populate Hourly Rate Breakpoints QRG or Populate Shift Time Breakpoints QRG.
  2. Click on the Create Break Points button within the Interpretation Rule Builder page(see Figure 1).
Screenshot from QRG Interpretation Rule Builder - Create Breakpoints & Pay Code Caps
  1. Identify the Frequency Hours Rules section within the Interpretation Rule Builder (see Figure 2).
Screenshot from QRG Interpretation Rule Builder - Create Breakpoints & Pay Code Caps
  1. Follow this step in the sequence given below:
    1. Populate the following required fields to provide the Overtime Frequency Breakpoint Rules for the Interpretation Rule (see Figure 3):
      1. Click on the + Add Overtime button
      2. To define the amount of hours that should be associated with the first Overtime Rate, populate the End field with a figure value.
      3. To determine the Pay Code that should be applied for the first Overtime Rate, populate the Pay Code field using the lookup options available.
      4. To determine the Pay Code that should be applied for this Overtime Rate during Public Holidays and Weekends, populate the following fields using the lookup options available:
        • Public Holiday Pay Code
        • Saturday Pay Code
          • Sunday
      5. To add another Overtime Pay Rate, click on the + Add Breakpoint button and a new Breakpoint line will be added beneath the first.
  2. Repeat Step 4. until Overtime Pay Rates have been detailed for the total amount of hours in the Timesheet Period.
Screenshot from QRG Interpretation Rule Builder - Create Breakpoints & Pay Code Caps
Each additional Breakpoint line added will default with ‘Start’ times corresponding with the ‘End’ time that was populated in the previous line.
To remove a Breakpoint, click on the Trash Can icon next to the corresponding line.
Frequency Breakpoints must detail the total number of hours in each Timesheet Period, as per the associated Timesheet Calendar. This includes the maximum number of Ordinary hours an Employee can be paid within the Timesheet Period, as well as the subsequent Overtime Pay Codes once the maximum for Ordinary hours is reached.
  1. Click on the Save button to validate the Frequency Hours Breakpoints created (see Figure 4)
Screenshot from QRG Interpretation Rule Builder - Create Breakpoints & Pay Code Caps
  1. Click on the Create Pay Code Caps button (see Figure 5).
Screenshot from QRG Interpretation Rule Builder - Create Breakpoints & Pay Code Caps
  1. Identify the Pay Code Caps section within the Interpretation Rule Builder (see Figure 6).
Screenshot from QRG Interpretation Rule Builder - Create Breakpoints & Pay Code Caps
  1. Follow this step in the sequence given below:
    1. Populate the following required fields to provide the Daily Pay Code Caps for the Interpretation Rule (see Figure 7):
      1. To determine whether any caps should be applied to the Pay Codes defined in the Interpretation Rule’s Daily Breakpoints, click to select the Daily Pay Code Caps tab.
        • To define the amount of hours that Pay Codes should be capped each day, populate the Cap Amount field with a value amount and click to unselect the No Cap Required checkbox.
        OR
        • To determine that a Daily Cap Amount is not required for Pay Codes, do not populate the Cap Amount field and leave the No Cap Required checkbox selected.
Screenshot from QRG Interpretation Rule Builder - Create Breakpoints & Pay Code Caps
  1. Populate the following required fields to provide the Daily Pay Code Caps for the Interpretation Rule (see Figure 8):
    1. To determine whether any caps should be applied to the Pay Codes defined in the Interpretation Rule’s Frequency Breakpoints, click on the Frequency Pay Code Caps tab.
      • To define the amount of hours that Pay Codes should be capped within each Timesheet Period, populate the Cap Amount field with a value amount and click to unselect the No Cap Required checkbox.
      OR
      • To determine that a Frequency Cap Amount is not required for Pay Codes, do not populate the Cap Amount field and leave the No Cap Required checkbox selected.
Screenshot from QRG Interpretation Rule Builder - Create Breakpoints & Pay Code Caps
  1. Repeat Steps 3 - 4 for all required Pay Code Caps.
  2. Click on the Save button to validate the
Screenshot from QRG Interpretation Rule Builder - Create Breakpoints & Pay Code Caps
Once saved, the Interpretation Rule will be automatically Validated by the system. If no Validation Errors are encountered, the Additional Details section will be automatically populated.
  1. Review and confirm the details of the Interpretation Rule, then click on the Finalise button to complete record creation (see Figure 10).
Screenshot from QRG Interpretation Rule Builder - Create Breakpoints & Pay Code Caps
  1. A new Interpretation Rule has been created (see Figure 11).
Screenshot from QRG Interpretation Rule Builder - Create Breakpoints & Pay Code Caps
Once an Interpretation Rule has been Finalised and related to another record, it is not recommended to modify further, but instead to facilitate any changes required by creating a new Interpretation Rule.
Interpretation Rules CANNOT be deleted if they have related records or are used in other records. Deleting records is not recommended unless absolutely essential.
  1. To modify an existing Interpretation Rule, open the required record and select the Launch button to open the Builder page, then select the Unfinalise button available at the bottom of the record.
  2. When complete, click on the Finalise button.
If changes are made to Pay Codes or Breakpoints in an existing Interpretation Rule, Pay Code Caps MUST be re-populated, as the previous Pay Code Caps will no longer apply and will be removed.

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Field Descriptions

Cap Amount is the maximum amount of hours payable at the Pay Code for the time frame defined within the Daily or Frequency Breakpoint. End indicates the end of hours for the Frequency Hours Overtime Breakpoint. No Cap Required indicates that no Pay Code Cap is required for the time frame defined within the Daily or Frequency Breakpoint. Pay Code indicates the Pay Code to be applied to Timesheet Entries that fall within the timeframe defined in the Start and End fields of the Breakpoint. Public Holiday Pay Code indicates that a different Pay Code applies for Public Holidays worked during the timeframe defined in the Start and End fields of the Breakpoint. Saturday Pay Code indicates that a different Pay Code applies for Saturdays worked during the timeframe defined in the Start and End fields of the Breakpoint. Start indicates the start of hours for the Frequency Hours Overtime Breakpoint. Sunday Pay Code indicates that a different Pay Code applies for Sundays worked during the timeframe defined in the Start and End fields of the Breakpoint.

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Further Information