
ApproveThis manages your ClockShark Integration approvals.
April 17, 2025
Integration Category: Time Tracking
Why This Integration Isn't Just Another "Nice to Have"
Let's cut through the noise: if you're using ClockShark to track time but still chasing down approvals through email threads or Slack pings, you're working harder than you need to. ApproveThis plugs directly into your ClockShark data through Zapier to turn time tracking events into structured approval processes. No more guessing who approved what, when, or why.
Construction companies using this combo have reduced payroll processing time by 40% simply by automating overtime approvals. Healthcare operations managers report 30% fewer scheduling errors by requiring supervisor sign-off before shifts get logged. This isn't about features - it's about eliminating the approval limbo that costs mid-sized companies an average of $47k annually in productivity loss.
The Nuts and Bolts of What Actually Happens
ApproveThis acts as your approval layer for ClockShark's time tracking data. When an employee clocks in from a new location? That can trigger a manager approval request. When a project manager creates a new job in ClockShark? Require budget approval before the clock starts ticking. The magic happens in three key areas:
1. From Punch-In to Approved Shift in 60 Seconds
Field service companies use our ClockShark integration to handle edge cases without paperwork. When a technician clocks in early at a client site:
- Zapier detects the early clock-in via ClockShark
- ApproveThis automatically routes an approval request to the project manager
- Manager approves/rejects directly from email without logging into any system
- Approval decision syncs back to ClockShark as a comment on the time entry
No licenses needed for approvers. No manual data entry. Just a clean audit trail.
2. Budget Approvals That Actually Prevent Overspending
Marketing agencies love this part. When creating a new client project in ClockShark:
- ApproveThis automatically checks against remaining budget
- If over 50% of allocated hours, triggers CFO approval
- Auto-calculates projected overage costs using Calculated Fields
- Approved jobs get greenlit in ClockShark; denied ones trigger alerts
Real-world result: One cybersecurity firm reduced project overages by 62% in Q1 after implementing this guardrail.
Setup That Doesn't Require an IT Degree
Here's the straight talk: If you can set up a Zoom meeting, you can configure this integration. Through Zapier, it takes three steps:
- Connect ClockShark as your trigger ("When X happens...")
- Choose ApproveThis as your action ("Then do Y...")
- Map the data fields that matter (employee ID, job code, hours logged)
Pro tip: Start with one workflow - like overtime approvals - before scaling to complex scenarios. Most teams see ROI within 14 days.
Department-Specific Wins You Can Actually Measure
For HR Teams: No More Payroll Surprises
When your payroll team can automatically flag and require approval for:
- Overtime exceeding 10% of base hours
- Clock-ins from unapproved locations
- Weekend work without prior authorization
...suddenly those "Why did payroll jump 18%?!" emails stop. Vacation delegation ensures someone's always covering approvals - no bottlenecks when managers are OOO.
For Operations: Job Tracking That Doesn't Lag Reality
Construction PMs using the integration report getting alerted to potential delays 23% faster. How? When a site manager logs unexpected equipment downtime in ClockShark:
- ApproveThis instantly routes a change order approval
- Execs review with attached photos/notes from the field
- Approval triggers adjusted timelines in ClockShark
Bonus: The approval audit trail satisfies 90% of compliance reporting needs automatically.
The Hidden Benefit Your CFO Will Love
Approval thresholds turn managers into budget enforcers without the awkward conversations. Set rules like:
- Auto-approve shift extensions under $200
- Escalate any overtime exceeding 15 hours/week to directors
- Require dual approval for jobs exceeding 500 logged hours
A manufacturing client automated their equipment maintenance approvals - now 68% of requests get auto-approved based on preset thresholds, letting managers focus on exceptions.
Real-World Scenarios That Don't Suck
Consulting Firms: Client Work That Stays Profitable
When consultants exceed estimated hours on a client project:
- ClockShark detects the overage
- ApproveThis routes an approval to the client (external approver)
- Client approves/rejects directly via email
- Approved hours bill at premium rate; rejected ones trigger scope review
No more eating unbilled hours because someone forgot to get client sign-off.
Healthcare: Compliance Without the Paper Chase
For nurse scheduling in regulated states:
- Any shift modification in ClockShark triggers compliance approval
- Legal team reviews against labor laws
- Approved schedules auto-update; rejected ones flag for revision
One hospital group reduced scheduling violations by 81% in the first quarter.
Why This Beats Native Approvals Every Time
ClockShark's basic approval features work for simple "yes/no" scenarios. But when you need:
- Multi-step approvals (supervisor → accounting → client)
- Conditional logic (auto-approve under $X, escalate over $Y)
- External participants (clients, vendors, contractors)
...that's where ApproveThis adds real value. Plus, approvers never need a ClockShark login - huge for companies working with external partners.
Getting Started Without the Overwhelm
Pick one pain point to automate first:
- Overtime approvals
- Client billing thresholds
- Equipment downtime responses
Our customers see the fastest results when they start small, prove value, then expand. The Zapier integration makes it easy to add complexity over time without starting from scratch.
The Bottom Line Your Leadership Cares About
Companies between 50-5,000 employees use ApproveThis + ClockShark to:
- Reduce payroll errors by 32% (actual client average)
- Cut approval cycle time from 3 days to 4 hours
- Eliminate 14 hours/month of manual approval tracking
This isn't about chasing efficiency metrics - it's about giving your team back the time they spend herding approval cats.
Ready to Stop Being a Approval Middleman?
If you're still manually bridging ClockShark data and approval processes, you're leaving money on the table. Book a 15-minute demo and we'll show you:
- Live examples from your industry
- ROI calculations specific to your team size
- How to set up your first workflow in under an hour
Get the demo or start your free trial. Either way, you'll know within a week if this is your new productivity secret weapon.
Integrate with ClockShark Integration and get 90 days of ApproveThis for free.
After you create a Zapier integration, please email us at support@approve-this.com with your account name and we'll add 3 months of ApproveThis to your account. Limit one redemption per account.
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Best Approval Workflows for ClockShark
Suggested workflows (and their Zapier components) for ClockShark
Create approval requests for new ClockShark clock-ins
Efficiently manage employee attendance by creating automated approval requests when employees clock in on ClockShark. This helps streamline attendance confirmation workflows and improves time tracking accuracy.
Zapier Components

Trigger
New Clock In
Triggers when an employee clocks in.
Action
Create Request
Creates a new request, probably with input from previous steps.
Create ClockShark jobs for approved requests in ApproveThis
Automatically create new jobs in ClockShark once requests are approved in ApproveThis, ensuring that approved activities start promptly without administrative delays. This integration aids project management by transitioning seamlessly from approval to execution.
Zapier Components
Trigger
A Request Is Approved/Denied
Triggers when a request is approved or denied.

Action
Create Job
Creates a new job.
Initiate approval requests for new ClockShark jobs
Start an approval process for every new job added in ClockShark by creating approval requests in ApproveThis. This ensures each job is vetted and ready for scheduling, maintaining operational standards.
Zapier Components

Trigger
New Job Added
Triggers when a job is created.
Action
Create Request
Creates a new request, probably with input from previous steps.
Create approval requests from ClockShark notifications
Transform ClockShark administrator notifications into structured approval requests in ApproveThis to maintain control over key alerts and ensure timely action.
Zapier Components

Trigger
New Notification
Triggers when an administrator notification occurs.
Action
Create Request
Creates a new request, probably with input from previous steps.
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