When you enter overtime reduction, you can specify how many overtime hours are to be reduced. A common “error in thinking” is that these hours from the overtime reduction request should affect the working time account. They do not, because otherwise the hours would be deducted twice.
Example
You have entered 8 h of target working time for a Wednesday. You decide to reduce overtime, enter an overtime reduction of 8 h for that Wednesday, and receive approval. On Friday, you look at your working time account.
1) If the overtime reduction were deducted (which deliberately does not happen): For that Wednesday, Timebutler determines 8 h of target working time. You entered 0 h of working time (because you did not work). This results in a balance of -8 h. If the overtime reduction of 8 h were now also deducted, Timebutler would arrive at a balance of -16 h.
2) If Timebutler ignores the overtime reduction in the working time account (this is how it is set): For that Wednesday, Timebutler determines 8 h of target working time. You entered 0 h of working time (because you did not work). This results in a balance of -8 h. Timebutler ignores the overtime reduction; it has no effect on the calculation.
This means: the comparison of target and actual time produces the balance automatically — and with it the deduction of 8 h. Because you enter no working time on that Wednesday, the deduction results automatically.
The overtime reduction therefore serves only as information, and to request your day off from your manager and have it approved. You could also not work on that Wednesday without an overtime reduction, and 8 h would be deducted in the working time account just the same.