How to Calculate Your Work Hours
Example: An employee working from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM with a 30-minute unpaid break worked 8 hours. Keeping track of your time helps you ensure you are being paid correctly, especially if your shifts vary or cross into overtime.
The Formula
- Convert all times to a 24-hour clock.
- Subtract the start time from the end time.
- Subtract any unpaid break time.
- Convert minutes to decimals for payroll.
Common Situations
- Overnight shifts: Add 24 hours to the end time when it crosses midnight.
- Overtime: Most employers pay time-and-a-half after 40 hours per week.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate time and a half?
Multiply your regular hourly wage by 1.5. For example, if you earn $20/hr, time and a half is $30/hr. Try our overtime calculator.
Do 15-minute breaks count towards hours worked?
Under federal law, short breaks (usually 20 minutes or less) must be counted as hours worked. Bona fide meal periods (typically 30 minutes or more) are generally not compensable.