Navigating the Lockheed Martin time card system requires strict adherence to corporate payroll policies, defense contractor regulations, and accurate hour-logging procedures. Employees must record time daily using official tools such as the Electronic Labor Accounting and Reporting System (ELARS) to ensure DCAA compliance, proper billing on government contracts, and timely salary disbursements for 2026.
Understanding the Lockheed Martin Labor Accounting Architecture
Accurate timekeeping at Lockheed Martin is not merely an administrative requirement; it is a critical component of compliance with the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA). Because a significant portion of the aerospace and defense manufacturer's portfolio involves United States government contracts, every hour worked must be mapped precisely to the correct charge number, project code, and task identifier.
The primary ecosystem relies on digital labor accounting tools designed to capture hours transparently. Employees, whether working on-site at major facilities like Fort Worth, Texas, or Littleton, Colorado, or operating in remote environments under approved telework agreements, are legally and ethically bound to record their time as it is worked. Retroactive logging, anticipatory charging, and misallocating hours to incorrect charge numbers violate corporate ethics policies and federal contracting laws.
Core Principles of DCAA-Compliant Timekeeping
- Contemporaneous Recording: Time must be entered on the day it is worked. Waiting until the end of the week or pay period to record hours introduces human error and regulatory non-compliance.
- Accurate Charge Numbers: Every task is assigned a specific accounting string. Employees must verify that their charging codes match their active task assignments and authorized job orders.
- Supervisor Approval: Completed time cards must be submitted and approved by the designated frontline manager or project lead according to the weekly or bi-weekly payroll cutoff schedule.
- Overtime Authorization: Exempt and non-exempt personnel must secure prior managerial approval before working and charging overtime hours to government or commercial contracts.
Step-by-Step Guide to Accessing and Submitting Your Time Card
Completing a Lockheed Martin time card is a structured daily routine. Whether you are accessing the internal intranet from an office workstation or utilizing secure virtual private network (VPN) access for remote work, the process demands absolute precision.
- Access the Secure Portal: Log into the internal Lockheed Martin employee gateway using your corporate credentials and multi-factor authentication (MFA).
- Launch the Timekeeping Application: Navigate to the labor accounting module, typically identified as ELARS or the corporate time card entry system.
- Verify Pay Period and Charge Codes: Confirm that the active time card corresponds to the correct 2026 payroll cycle and that your assigned project charge numbers are populated in your daily rows.
- Enter Daily Hours: Record your regular hours, paid time off (PTO), holiday hours, or sick leave against the appropriate task codes on a daily basis.
- Review and Certify: At the end of the designated reporting cycle, review your total hours for accuracy, ensure all entries match your actual work schedule, and electronically sign or certify the time card.
- Manager Review: Submit the time card to your supervisor. Monitor the system to ensure your manager approves the record prior to the corporate payroll processing deadline.
Comparison of Time Card Categories and Leave Types
Different employment classifications and work schedules require specific entry codes on the Lockheed Martin time card. Understanding these distinctions prevents payroll delays and ensures proper cost allocation.
| Time Card Category | Description | Charging Guidelines & Compliance Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Hours | Standard scheduled work hours performed on primary job assignments. | Must be recorded daily; charged directly to active program or overhead charge numbers. |
| Overtime (OT) | Hours worked beyond the standard 40-hour workweek. | Requires advance supervisory authorization; non-exempt employees receive premium pay, while exempt guidelines vary by contract. |
| Paid Time Off (PTO) | Accrued vacation, personal time, or flexible time off. | Must be requested and approved in advance through the appropriate absence management system. |
| Holiday Pay | Recognized corporate holidays published in the annual 2026 calendar. | Automatically populated or charged to specific holiday overhead codes based on facility location and shift schedules. |
| Unpaid Leave / LWOP | Approved absences without pay (Leave Without Pay). | Must be explicitly recorded to prevent unauthorized salary payments and maintain compliance with federal labor standards. |
Common Time Card Errors and Troubleshooting Strategies
Even experienced defense industry professionals occasionally encounter hurdles during the time card submission process. Recognizing common failure points allows for rapid remediation before payroll lockouts occur.
Troubleshooting Locked Time Cards
If a time card becomes locked due to a missed submission deadline or an administrative error, employees cannot edit the record independently. To resolve this:
- Contact your immediate supervisor or the designated payroll administrator immediately.
- Request a time card rejection or unlock authorization through the internal HR service portal.
- Once unlocked, make the necessary corrections, document the reason for adjustment if prompted, and resubmit for approval.
Handling Charge Number Discrepancies
Finding that an expected charge number is missing from your profile is a frequent issue when transitioning between programs.
- Consult your project manager, financial analyst, or program integrator to verify that your charge authorization has been properly processed in the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.
- Never use a generic overhead or placeholder charge number unless explicitly instructed by authorized project leadership, as mischarging government contracts is a serious compliance infraction.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lockheed Martin Time Cards
What should I do if I forget to submit my time card on time?
Contact your manager and the payroll department immediately to initiate a late submission or retroactive adjustment process. Failing to submit on time can disrupt your scheduled paycheck and trigger internal compliance reviews.
Can I fill out my Lockheed Martin time card in advance?
No. DCAA regulations strictly prohibit recording time before it is actually worked. Anticipatory or predictive time charging is considered a falsification of labor records and violates corporate ethics policies.
How are overtime hours handled for salaried versus hourly employees?
Hourly (non-exempt) employees must record all hours worked and receive statutory overtime compensation for hours exceeding 40 in a workweek. Salaried (exempt) personnel record time primarily for contract cost-allocation purposes rather than hourly wage calculation, though overtime still requires strict programmatic authorization.
What is ELARS and why is it used?
ELARS stands for Electronic Labor Accounting and Reporting System, which is the secure digital platform Lockheed Martin utilizes to collect, track, and audit employee work hours for government and commercial billing accuracy.
Who has access to audit my time card entries?
In addition to your direct supervisor and corporate internal auditors, government oversight bodies such as the Defense Contract Audit Agency possess the legal authority to review time card records to verify proper billing on federal defense contracts.
Practical Recommendations for Seamless Payroll Processing
Maintaining a flawless time card record is a shared responsibility between employees and management. To protect your professional standing and ensure zero disruptions to your 2026 compensation, establish a daily habit of logging your hours before concluding your shift. Double-check all project numbers against your current contract assignments, communicate openly with your leadership regarding any ambiguous task codes, and respect all corporate payroll submission windows without exception.
