---
title: "What are working times/FTE ratios?"
slug: "what-are-working-times-fte-ratios"
description: "Explains how working patterns and FTE ratios are set up in Cintra iQ, either via an employee's post or the Time Management form, to calculate absences and sick pay."
updated: 2026-06-10T11:23:01Z
published: 2026-06-10T11:23:01Z
canonical: "help.cintra.co.uk/what-are-working-times-fte-ratios"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.cintra.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# What are working times/FTE ratios?

Within **Cintra iQ**, you can set up working patterns and **FTEs (Full Time Equivalences)** either via an employee's post or directly in the **Time Management** form. These working patterns and **FTEs** can then be used to calculate absences or sick pay etc.

1. **By Post -** You can manually assign work pattern details to the post, by using the **Insert Employee Post FTE** form within the **Post History** form. For more information, see [**How Do I Attach a Working Pattern to an Employee Using a Post?**](/iq/docs/how-do-i-apply-a-working-pattern-to-employees-using-post-history)
2. **Directly via Time Management form -** You can record **Work Pattern** details, by using the **Insert FTE From Work Pattern** form within **Time Management**. For more information, see [**How Do I Apply a Working Pattern to Employees in Time Management?**](/iq/docs/how-do-i-apply-a-working-pattern-to-employees-in-time-management) You can also set the work time rules for the employee.