V8 - Workers and labor

SOS Inventory can track labor on build and process transactions. The Workers list (Company menu > Miscellaneous > Workers), which is available to Pro plan subscribers, contains the list of available workers, which are used in tandem with labor items when they are included on these transactions. 

The use of workers requires creating items defined as a labor item type, as well as the enabling of worker tracking and the creation of workers.

Creating labor items

To track labor, create an item (Quick add > Item), set its type to Labor, and ensure the appropriate expense account is selected. Use the Purchase cost field to specify the rate, then save.

Handling differences in labor types and rates

If you have different types of labor with different rates, you can handle this using either of these methods:

• Create a separate labor item for each labor type and assign its rate.
• Have only one labor item but assign it a rate of $1.00. Then use the transaction's Quantity field to enter the expected labor costs for that manufacturing transaction.

Enabling worker tracking

If you want to track hours for specific workers (for example, John Smith and Jane Doe), enable the Track workers option on the Inventory Settings page (Settings menu > Inventory settings). Add your workers according to the steps explained below.

Adding workers

Before or after the Track Workers setting has been enabled, you can manage or add workers:

1. Go to the Workers list (Company menu > Miscellaneous > Workers), then select Add new.
2. Complete the worker's First name and Last name fields.
    
   edit_noteNOTE: If your payroll module has been activated in QuickBooks Online, an employee list will populate SOS Inventory's Employee field dropdown list. If the worker has been defined in QuickBooks, select the worker's name from the Employee dropdown as well as enter the worker's first and last names.
3. Save and close.

Once the workers have been entered into SOS Inventory, the system will prompt you to select the appropriate worker when you include a labor item on a build or process transaction.