Employee Settings Module Documentation

Table of Contents


1. Overview

The Employee Settings Module is your personal control center where you can manage all aspects of your employee profile and account. It's designed to be simple, intuitive, and secure.

What Can You Do?

Update Personal Information - Keep your name, email, phone, and address current
Manage Emergency Contacts - Add up to 3 emergency contacts for workplace safety
Change Profile Picture - Upload a professional profile photo
View Account Status - Check your email verification and security settings
Track Recent Activity - See when you logged in and what changes were made
Manage Security - Change password and enable 2-factor authentication (coming soon)

How to Access Settings

  1. Log in to the DTR System
  2. Click on your profile icon in the top-right corner
  3. Select Settings from the dropdown menu
  4. OR go directly to: https://your-dtr-system.com/employee/settings

Who Can Access Settings?

Only you can access and modify your own settings. Your manager and HR team cannot change your personal information through this module (they use a separate admin panel).


2. Settings Dashboard

2.1 What You'll See

When you first open Settings, you'll see your Settings Dashboard - a overview of your account with quick access to all features.

Dashboard Layout

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                  MY SETTINGS                         │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                      │
│  Your Profile Card                                   │
│  ┌──────────────────────────────────────┐            │
│  │ [Profile Photo]  John Doe            │            │
│  │                  Senior Developer    │            │
│  │                  EMP-00123           │            │
│  └──────────────────────────────────────┘            │
│                                                      │
│  Account Status Overview                             │
│  ┌──────────────────────────────────────┐            │
│  │ ✓ Email Verified                     │            │
│  │ ✗ 2-Factor Auth (Not Enabled)        │            │
│  │ ✓ Account Active                     │            │
│  └──────────────────────────────────────┘            │
│                                                      │
│  Quick Navigation                                    │
│  [👤 Profile]  [🔒 Security]  [⚙️ Preferences]      │
│  [🔔 Notifications]  [📄 Documents]                 │
│                                                      │
│  Recent Activity                                     │
│  • Dec 4, 2025 10:30 AM - Login from Chrome         │
│  • Dec 4, 2025 9:15 AM - Profile updated           │
│  • Dec 3, 2025 5:45 PM - Login from Firefox        │
│                                                      │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

What Each Status Means

Status Meaning
✓ Email Verified Your email is confirmed and working properly
✗ Email Not Verified Check your email for a verification link
✓ 2-Factor Auth Enabled Your account has extra security (two-step login)
✗ 2-Factor Auth Not Enabled Your account uses password-only login
✓ Account Active Your account is enabled and working
✗ Account Inactive Contact HR - your account may be suspended

Recent Activity

This shows your login history and recent changes. Check this regularly to spot any unusual activity on your account.

2.2 What to Do on the Dashboard

View Your Current Status

  • See if your email is verified
  • Check if 2-factor authentication is enabled
  • Confirm your account is active

Quick Navigation

  • Click any section to go directly to it
  • No need to scroll through multiple pages

Monitor Account Activity

  • Check recent logins to ensure it's you
  • If you see suspicious activity, change your password immediately

3. Profile Management

3.1 Viewing Your Profile

Your profile page shows all your current information in an easy-to-read format.

What Information Is Displayed?

Personal Information

  • Your full name
  • Email address
  • Phone number
  • Date of birth
  • Gender
  • Civil status (Single, Married, etc.)

Contact Information

  • Street address
  • City / Province
  • ZIP code
  • Country

Professional Information (Read-only - managed by HR)

  • Job title/Position
  • Department
  • Employment type (Full-time, Part-time, Contract)
  • Hire date
  • Employee ID

Emergency Contacts

  • Up to 3 emergency contacts
  • Their relationship to you
  • Their phone numbers

Profile Picture

  • Your avatar/profile photo

3.2 Editing Your Profile

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Click the "Edit Profile" Button

  • On your profile page, find the blue "Edit Profile" button
  • Click it to open the edit form

2. Update Personal Information

Full Name (Required *)
├─ What it is: Your legal first and last name
├─ Why it matters: Used for official documents
├─ Example: "Maria Santos"
└─ Note: Must be 1-255 characters

Email (Required *)
├─ What it is: Your work email address
├─ Why it matters: Used for login and notifications
├─ Example: "maria.santos@company.com"
└─ Note: Must be a valid email and unique to you

Phone Number (Optional)
├─ What it is: Your mobile or landline number
├─ Format: Can include dashes, spaces, + symbol
├─ Example: "+63 977 123 4567" or "02-1234-5678"
└─ Tip: Keep it current for contact purposes

Date of Birth (Optional)
├─ What it is: Your birthday (YYYY-MM-DD)
├─ Example: "1990-05-15"
└─ Note: Must be in the past

Gender (Optional)
├─ Options: Male, Female, Other
└─ Used for: HR records and benefits

Civil Status (Optional)
├─ Options: Single, Married, Divorced, Widowed
└─ Used for: Payroll and benefits determination

3. Update Contact Information

Street Address (Optional)
├─ What it is: Your residential address
├─ Example: "123 Main Street, Apartment 4B"
└─ Max length: 500 characters

City (Optional)
├─ Example: "Manila"
└─ Max length: 100 characters

Province/State (Optional)
├─ Example: "Metro Manila"
└─ Max length: 100 characters

ZIP Code (Optional)
├─ Example: "1200"
└─ Max length: 10 characters

Country (Optional)
├─ Example: "Philippines"
└─ Select from dropdown list

4. Add Emergency Contacts

Emergency contacts are crucial for workplace safety. You can add up to 3 emergency contacts.

For Each Contact, Provide:

Name (Optional)
├─ Full name of the person
├─ Example: "Maria Santos"
└─ Max length: 255 characters

Relationship (Optional)
├─ Who they are to you
├─ Options: Mother, Father, Sibling, Spouse, Child, Other
└─ Helps identify contact quickly

Phone Number (Optional)
├─ Their contact number
├─ Example: "+63 912 345 6789"
└─ Max length: 20 characters

✓ Tip: Add contacts in order of priority
    Contact 1: Spouse/Closest family
    Contact 2: Parent or sibling
    Contact 3: Friend or other relative

How to Add Multiple Contacts

Step 1: Fill in Contact 1 (Name, Relationship, Phone)
Step 2: Click "+ Add Emergency Contact" button
Step 3: Fill in Contact 2 information
Step 4: Click "+ Add Emergency Contact" again
Step 5: Fill in Contact 3 information
Step 6: Click "Save Changes" (saves all contacts at once)

5. Upload Profile Picture

Why Upload a Photo?
├─ Makes your profile more personal
├─ Helps colleagues recognize you
└─ Professional appearance

How to Upload:

Step 1: Scroll to "Profile Picture" section
Step 2: Click "Choose File" button
Step 3: Select an image from your computer
Step 4: Preview appears automatically
Step 5: Image is saved when you click "Save Changes"

Accepted Formats
├─ JPG (JPEG)
├─ PNG
└─ Maximum size: 2MB

Tips for Good Photos
├─ Use a clear, professional headshot
├─ Good lighting (face is visible)
├─ Plain or neutral background
├─ Smile naturally
└─ Recent photo (from last 6 months)

3.3 Saving Changes

After updating your information:

1. Review Your Changes

  • Scroll through the form and verify all information is correct
  • Fix any typos or errors

2. Click "Save Changes" Button

  • Blue button at the bottom of the form
  • Your data is encrypted before sending to server

3. Wait for Confirmation

  • A success message appears: "✓ Profile updated successfully"
  • Page refreshes to show updated information

4. Check Email

  • You may receive a confirmation email with the changes
  • If email changes, verify new email address

What If Something Goes Wrong?

Problem Solution
"This email is already in use" Email is registered to another account. Use a different email.
"Phone number is invalid" Check format: use only numbers, dashes, spaces, and + symbol.
"Date must be in the past" Don't use today or future dates for birthday.
"Avatar file too large" Image exceeds 2MB. Compress or choose smaller image.
"Invalid image format" Only JPG and PNG accepted. Convert your image if needed.
"Cannot save - try again later" Server error. Refresh page and try again.

3.4 What You Can and Cannot Change

✅ You CAN Change

  • Full name
  • Email address
  • Phone number
  • Date of birth
  • Gender
  • Civil status
  • Address and location information
  • Emergency contacts
  • Profile picture
  • Password (in Security settings)

❌ You CANNOT Change (Contact HR if needed)

  • Employee ID
  • Position/Job title
  • Department
  • Employment type
  • Hire date
  • Report-to manager
  • Bank account details (for payroll)
  • Work shift/schedule

4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Account & Login

Q: I forgot my password. How do I reset it?

A: Click "Forgot Password?" on the login page. Enter your email, and we'll send you a reset link. Click the link and create a new password.

Q: How do I verify my email?

A: When you create your account, check your email inbox for a verification link. Click it to confirm your email. If you don't see it:

  • Check spam/junk folder
  • Wait a few minutes (it may be delayed)
  • Click "Resend verification email" on dashboard

Q: Can I change my email address?

A: Yes! Edit your profile and change the email address. You'll need to verify the new email - a confirmation link will be sent to it.

Q: What is 2-Factor Authentication (2FA)?

A: Extra security for your account. After entering your password, you'll need to enter a code from your phone to log in. It's optional but recommended.


Profile Information

Q: Do I have to fill in all the fields?

A: No. Only "Full Name" and "Email" are required (*). Other fields are optional, but we recommend adding:

  • Phone number (for HR to contact you)
  • Address (for company records)
  • Emergency contacts (for workplace safety)

Q: Can my manager see my personal information?

A: Your manager can see your name, position, and department through the system. They cannot see:

  • Phone number
  • Address
  • Date of birth
  • Emergency contacts
  • Bank details

Q: How often should I update my profile?

A: Update whenever information changes:

  • After you move (update address)
  • If you change phone number
  • When family situation changes (civil status)
  • After new emergency contact
  • When hiring your annual review (verify everything is current)

Q: Can I delete information from my profile?

A: You can clear optional fields (leave them blank), but you cannot delete required fields (name, email). Contact HR if you need special assistance.


Emergency Contacts

Q: Why do I need emergency contacts?

A: In case of workplace emergency, accident, or medical issue, we need to notify your family. Required for:

  • Workplace safety
  • Insurance claims
  • Medical emergencies
  • Evacuation procedures

Q: How many emergency contacts can I add?

A: Maximum 3 contacts. Add them in order of priority:

  1. Spouse / Closest family member
  2. Parent or sibling
  3. Friend or other relative

Q: Will my emergency contacts see my personal information?

A: No. Emergency contacts are only used if there's an emergency at work. They won't have access to your account or see confidential info.

Q: Can I update emergency contacts anytime?

A: Yes! Go to Settings > Profile > Edit and update them anytime. Changes take effect immediately.


Profile Picture

Q: What image format should I use?

A: JPG or PNG format only. Check your file extension:

  • photo.jpg or photo.jpeg
  • photo.png
  • photo.gif
  • photo.bmp
  • photo.webp

Q: My image is too large. How do I fix it?

A:

  1. Use an image editor (Preview on Mac, Paint on Windows, or Photoshop)
  2. Resize to smaller dimensions (800x800 pixels is good)
  3. Save/export again
  4. Check file size is under 2MB
  5. Try uploading again

Or use an online tool:

  • TinyPNG.com (compress images)
  • Pixlr.com (resize images)
  • Cloudconvert.com (convert format)

Q: Can I use a company logo or cartoon as my profile picture?

A: No. Use a professional photo of yourself. This helps colleagues and managers identify you properly.

Q: How often can I change my profile picture?

A: As often as you want! Update anytime through Settings > Profile > Edit.


5. Troubleshooting

Common Issues and Solutions

Issue: "Cannot Save Changes"

Symptoms:

  • Click Save but nothing happens
  • Error message appears
  • Page doesn't refresh

Solutions:

  1. Refresh the page (Press F5 or Ctrl+R)
  2. Check your internet connection - make sure you're connected
  3. Clear browser cache - cookies might be corrupted
  4. Try a different browser - Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge
  5. Log out and log back in - may fix temporary issues
  6. Contact IT if problem persists

Issue: "Email Already in Use"

Symptoms:

  • Error says email is already registered
  • Can't change email to new address

Solutions:

  1. Double-check the email - make sure it's typed correctly
  2. Check if it's your old account - log in with that email to confirm
  3. Ask HR if someone else is using your company email
  4. Use a different email if the one you want isn't available
  5. Contact IT if you think it's an error

Issue: "Image File Too Large"

Symptoms:

  • Upload button doesn't work
  • Error: "File exceeds maximum size of 2MB"

Solutions:

  1. Compress the image:

    • Use TinyPNG.com or similar tool
    • Reduces file size without quality loss
  2. Resize the image:

    • Use Preview (Mac) or Paint (Windows)
    • Make it smaller (800x800 pixels)
  3. Change format:

    • Convert PNG to JPG (usually smaller)
    • Use online tools like CloudConvert.com
  4. Find a different photo:

    • Try a lower resolution original image
    • Take a new, simpler photo

Issue: "Verification Email Not Received"

Symptoms:

  • Email shows "not verified"
  • Didn't receive confirmation email

Solutions:

  1. Check spam folder - email might be filtered
  2. Add sender to contacts - marks email as trusted
  3. Wait 5-10 minutes - email servers can be slow
  4. Click "Resend Verification Email" on dashboard
  5. Check email is correct:
    • Go to Settings > Profile > Edit
    • Make sure email address is typed correctly
  6. Contact IT if still not receiving emails

Issue: "Profile Picture Not Showing"

Symptoms:

  • Avatar shows blank/broken image
  • Changes not appearing

Solutions:

  1. Refresh the page (F5)

  2. Clear browser cache:

    • Chrome: Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+Delete (Mac)
    • Firefox: Ctrl+H (History) > Clear Recent History
    • Safari: Cmd+Y > Clear History
  3. Log out and log back in

  4. Try different browser - to rule out browser issues

  5. Re-upload image:

    • Delete current image
    • Upload new one
    • Refresh page

Issue: "Cannot Add More Emergency Contacts"

Symptoms:

  • "Add Emergency Contact" button is grayed out
  • Can only add 2 contacts, not 3

Solutions:

  1. Maximum limit is 3 - you've already added 3

  2. Delete unused contact:

    • Edit that contact entry
    • Clear all fields
    • Leave blank
    • Save (blank entries aren't saved)
  3. Replace existing contact:

    • Click Edit Profile
    • Change one contact's information
    • Save changes

Browser Compatibility

Works Best On:

  • ✅ Chrome (Version 90+)
  • ✅ Firefox (Version 88+)
  • ✅ Safari (Version 14+)
  • ✅ Edge (Version 90+)

Mobile Support:

  • ✅ Mobile Chrome
  • ✅ Mobile Safari
  • ✅ Mobile Firefox

Not Recommended:

  • ❌ Internet Explorer (too old)
  • ❌ Very old browser versions

When to Contact Support

Contact IT if:

  • ❌ You can't log in to Settings
  • ❌ Data is showing incorrectly
  • ❌ You need to change something you're not allowed to change
  • ❌ Error messages appear that aren't listed above
  • ❌ Changes don't save after multiple attempts
  • ❌ Security concerns or suspicious activity

Contact HR if:

  • ❌ You need to change job title or position
  • ❌ Department information is wrong
  • ❌ Hire date needs correction
  • ❌ Bank details for payroll need updating
  • ❌ Report-to manager needs changing

Self-Service Options:

  • ✅ Forgot password? Use password reset link
  • ✅ Change email? Edit profile yourself
  • ✅ Update phone? Edit profile yourself
  • ✅ Update address? Edit profile yourself
  • ✅ Add photo? Upload yourself

Summary

The Employee Settings Module lets you:

✅ View your profile anytime
✅ Update personal information quickly
✅ Add emergency contacts for safety
✅ Upload a professional profile picture
✅ Check account status and activity
✅ Keep information current for HR

Remember:

  • Keep your information up to date
  • Use strong passwords (if security settings available)
  • Monitor recent activity for suspicious logins
  • Add emergency contacts - it could save lives
  • Contact HR or IT if you need help

Questions? Check the FAQ section above, or contact your HR department or IT support team.


📌 Quick Links

  • Settings URL: /employee/settings
  • Profile URL: /employee/settings/profile
  • Need help? Contact HR or IT
  • Report issue? Use the support form

Documentation Version: 2.0 (User-Friendly)
Last Updated: December 4, 2025
Status: ✅ Complete