> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://knowledge.rollcredits.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://knowledge.rollcredits.io/payroll/countersign-startwork.md).

# Countersign startwork documents

See who has signed each startwork document, send reminders, reject documents and add the approver's signature.

Use the **Status** sub-tab of the **Startwork** tab on **Payroll > Setup** to see who has signed each startwork document, and the **Sign Startwork Documents** page to add the approver's signature. Owners, Super Admins and Managers can use both.

{% hint style="info" %}
If RollCredits payroll is turned on for your production, **Payroll > Setup** has a **Startwork** tab. You can use it once payroll setup is saved. See [Set up payroll](/payroll/setup.md).
{% endhint %}

## Track who has signed

1. On **Payroll > Setup**, select the **Startwork** tab, then **Status**.
2. Select a template's toggle. There's one for each of your company's [startwork templates](/payroll/setup/startwork-templates.md).

The table lists everyone on this production who has that document, with **Name**, **Email**, **Title** and **Status**:

| Status                  | What it means                                                      |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Needs Employee Sig.** | The employee hasn't signed yet.                                    |
| **Needs Approver Sig.** | The employee's part is done, and the approver's signature is next. |
| **Completed**           | Everyone who needs to sign has signed.                             |

Each row shows the buttons that fit it:

* **Needs Employee Sig.**: the envelope button sends a reminder email.
* **Needs Approver Sig.**: **Review startwork document** (the magnifying glass) opens **Sign Startwork Documents** for that employee.
* **Completed**: **View document** (the eye) opens the signed file in a panel beside the table. Close it with the **X**.
* **Reject** appears on every document the employee has signed.

## Send a reminder

1. On a **Needs Employee Sig.** row, select the envelope button.

The employee gets the same onboarding reminder email as from the **Employees** tab, and their agent, if they have one, gets a copy. If the employee has already finished their W-4 and W-9 (for a loanout, their W-9), no email is sent and you see "No need to send an email to" and their name. You can remind each person once a day, and the button doesn't appear on your own row. See [Track employee onboarding](/payroll/setup/employee-onboarding.md).

## Reject a document

1. Select **Reject** on the document's row.
2. In **Reject Startwork Document**, select **Confirm**.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Rejecting clears all signatures and document data, including the approver's signature on a completed document. The status goes back to **Needs Employee Sig.**, and the employee has to complete and sign the document again. RollCredits doesn't email them about it, so let them know.
{% endhint %}

## Open Sign Startwork Documents

The page shows one employee's documents. You reach it from:

* **Review startwork document** on the **Status** sub-tab.
* **Review Startwork Docs** on the **Employees** tab, or **Review Startwork Documents** on the employee panel, when the employee's status is **Startwork Docs Needs Review**. See [Track employee onboarding](/payroll/setup/employee-onboarding.md).
* The end of an [I-9 review](/payroll/review-i9.md) or [loanout documents review](/payroll/review-loanout-documents.md), when startwork documents are waiting for your signature.

## Countersign a document

**Documents Awaiting Signature** at the top counts the documents waiting for your signature and lists all the employee's startwork documents. A check marks one that's already countersigned. You can select the ones still waiting for you; the rest are greyed out.

The first document waiting for you opens. To look at another, select it in the list or use the arrows beside its name, which show where you are, such as 1 of 3.

1. Check the document. It shows what the employee filled in and signed, with your name and today's date in the approver fields.
2. Select each approver signature and initials field on the document and sign it.
3. Select **Save & Submit**. It stays greyed out until every signature field for you is signed.

The next document in the list opens, so work through them in order. After the last one, you see "All documents have been signed!" and return to the employee's panel on the **Employees** tab.

To send a document back instead, select **Reject**, then **Confirm**. The employee has to complete it again.

## Countersign step by step

{% hint style="info" %}
If your company uses step-by-step signing, you countersign in steps instead of on the document itself.
{% endhint %}

The document list and **Reject** are at the top, without the arrows. Below them are the steps **Fill**, **Review** and **Sign**. Use **Continue** and **Back** to move between them.

1. **Fill**: fill in the fields left for the approver. **Continue** stays greyed out until the required ones are done. Fields that share a label appear here once. If there's nothing for you to fill in, this step is skipped.
2. **Review**: check the document with the employee's details and signature, your entries and your name. Your signature date is added when you submit. Select **Download** to save a copy or **Expand** to see it full size. If it doesn't load, select **Retry**.
3. **Sign**: for **Approver Signature**, select **Add**, draw your signature and select **Save Signature**. For **Approver Initials**, type your initials. Each goes on every matching spot in the document.
4. Select **Submit** once the required signature and initials are added. The next document waiting for you opens, or you return to the employee's panel.

## Messages you might see

* **Waiting on the employee's signature**: the employee hasn't signed this document yet. You can sign or reject it once they do.
* "All documents have been signed!" with **Return to employee page**: nothing is waiting for your signature.
* **You don't have permission to sign** (step-by-step signing only): only Owners, Super Admins and Managers can countersign.
* "We couldn't load this document for signing. Please try again." (step-by-step signing only): select **Retry**.

For startwork documents on an employee's profile, see [View an employee's profile](/payroll/employee-profile.md).


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