Time card approvers must approve or reject time cards no later than what deadline after the time card period ends?

• A. Last duty day of the month
• B. First duty day after time card period ends
• C. Third duty day after time card period ends
• D. Fifth duty day after time card period ends

Answer: (C)

Time cards are tied to payroll processing, so there’s a fixed window for supervisors to review and finalize hours. The best answer is that approvals or rejections must be completed by the third duty day after the period ends. This three-business-day window gives enough time to verify hours, correct any errors, and obtain any needed approvals before payroll runs, while still keeping the payroll timeline on track. Approving by the first duty day after would rush the review, approving by the last duty day of the month could vary and disrupt the payroll schedule, and waiting until the fifth duty day would unnecessarily delay payroll.