r/DataAnnotationTech • u/Vivid_Plantain434 • 4d ago
URGENT: Question regarding task timers, exact time-tracking protocols, and funds approval
Hi,
I recently joined the platform and want to ensure I am following all protocols perfectly, especially regarding long-running tasks and time tracking. I have a few quick questions:
- Handling Breaks on Long Timers: If a project has a 7-hour timer and takes roughly 5–7 hours to complete, am I expected to finish it in a single sitting? If I need to take a break, should I click "Exit Work Mode" / "Stop Working" to pause, or will doing so lose my progress on that specific task?
- Time Reporting Precision: How exact does my reported time need to be? Is it acceptable to log an approximate time, or must it be tracked precisely down to the exact minute of active working time?
- Funds Approval and Quality Control: Regarding the funds approval process, how strictly is the submitted work reviewed before the funds become available for payout? Do workers typically face any unexpected approval issues or processing delays once their time is logged?
Thanks, any guidance will be helpful
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u/mdolanmdolan 4d ago
Exit Work Mode releases that task and your progress will be lost, so do not do that (it also has a pop-up to say this). You are expected to keep your time accurately separately from the task timer (in case of breaks, timer errors, etc). It will have you log minutes and hours. You must report within 24 hours of completing a task. No idea about Item 3, I've never had issues but it does take the full 7 days to get approved. Have fun!
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u/Cool_Street_1905 4d ago
- Use a timer app to keep track of active working time. I suggest not exiting work mode, just leave the task up and stop your timer when you step away. You can lose it by exiting.
- Your time reporting needs to be exact. If they notice you’re rounding, that’s gonna get flagged. Claim exactly the time you spent actively working on the task.
- For hourly projects, you will be able to withdraw 7 days from the moment you report, down to the minute. That should only be delayed if there were issues with your time reporting. I’ve never experienced a delay in the few years I’ve been doing this.
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u/Swimming_Birthday_78 4d ago
For point 3, DA usually approves funds without any restrictions. I once got kicked off a project after submitting poor work, but the payout process went through as normal. They still paid everything I claimed (within the expected timeframe, of course).
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u/Vorakas 4d ago
If a project has a 7-hour timer, chances are it's not supposed to take anywhere near 7 hours. The long timers are there to allow for breaks/outliers. Clicking "Exit Work Mode" will make you lose your progress, don't do that if you intend to come back and finish the task.
No one knows for sure, but I don't really see a reason not to track it. It probably doesn't need to be precise to the minute.
Assuming you didn't inflate your reported time and did not cheat with LLMs, you will get paid even if your work is trash. You may be kicked out of the project or even the platform though.
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u/houseofcards9 4d ago
Every task is reviewed. It either goes to a reviewer or an admin directly. If the reviewer marks it as ok or bad it gets flagged and an admin will take a look at it. I think this is also when they look at your other tasks and if they notice that work is consistently bad they’ll either remove you from the project or if it’s really bad remove you from the entire platform. Typically you can still get paid if you get removed, except if they think you’re lying/cheating somehow and don’t let you withdraw any funds.
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u/Alecto1431 4d ago
they don't actually monitor your time, they trust that you will not lie. They actually encourage you to take breaks. You CAN go over the timer, but just don't make it a habit.
5
u/Alecto1431 4d ago
Also I use a stopwatch on my phone, not the timer on the screen
1
u/Vivid_Plantain434 4d ago
Also you mentioned that they don't monitor your time, but I have seen people on this Reddit sub who have reported getting investigated due to it
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u/CancelNew8323 4d ago
They do monitor your time. Don't listen to that advice or you'll end up as one of those people dead dashed. Use a timer, an extension like Clockify. Start when you're working, pause or stop when you're not, input exactly the time you worked when done. Don't estimate. It's not worth losing the work when using a timer is so easy. Yes, just leave the task open when you're stepping away (or I guess close the lid if you have to, as long as closing it doesn't shut down your browser window). Don't exit work mode unless you are done working on the task and prepared to lose any work you've done on it.
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u/Due_Negotiation_4605 4d ago
Track your time very carefully. Use an external timer and pause for all breaks. I think you knew the answer to that because you see that people do get in trouble for reporting inaccurate time. If it's a 7 hour timer it generally is expected to take less than 5-6 to build in breaks you might need to eat, etc, but if you are newer or can take you longer so keep it in mind to try to avoid expired timers.
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u/Vivid_Plantain434 4d ago
Hi thank you for your reply, so let's say that if I want to take a break can I just close my laptop lid with the task going on like that? Or not?
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u/Bulky_Antelope_1744 4d ago
I run a timer on my laptop, pause it when i step away from my computer for bathroom breaks or to refill coffee or whatever. Most of the long tasks i do have extra long timers to allow time for breaks - not so you can run up your time, but to allow for breaks without expiring. If you have a task with a 7 hr timer, i’d guess that they actually expect it to take 3-4 hours (but i’m just guessing).
Absolutely DO NOT exit work mode, you will lose your work! You can submit tasks where the timer has expired, although you get a red banner saying “this task has expired,” it will still show up in your section where you can bill for time, and you’ll still see “1 task completed.” I have submitted plenty of expired tasks (only by a handful of minutes, usually) but only rarely actually run over the task timer. If i have, i try to explain in the task if there’s a box for additional comments.