How to use
- Enter days per week, hours on the clock per day and your hourly rate.
- Set the auto-deduct rule (for example 30 minutes after 6 hours) and a manual break length to compare.
- Read the weekly hours and pay for each scenario and the annual difference.
Worked example: 8.5-hour days with a 30-minute auto-deduction
Five days of 8.5 hours on the clock is 42.5 hours. With no deduction that is 40 regular and 2.5 overtime hours: at $20.00 that is $800.00 + 2.5 × $30.00 = $875.00 a week.
With a 30-minute auto-deduction after 6 hours each day drops to 8 hours, 40 a week and $800.00. The deduction costs $75.00 a week, or $3,900.00 over 52 weeks. A manual 30-minute break gives the same 40 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Is auto-deducting lunch legal?
Under federal law an employer may deduct a bona fide meal period only if the employee is actually relieved of duty. Deducting a lunch that was worked through is a common wage claim. State rules can add requirements.
Why does the no-deduction scenario show overtime?
Hours over 40 in the week are paid at 1.5× under the federal rule, so the difference between scenarios is often overtime pay, not straight pay.
What does the threshold do?
The deduction only applies on days at or above the threshold, so a 5-hour day keeps all of its time when the threshold is 6 hours.
Can I compare a different manual break?
Yes. Change the manual break minutes to see any value, such as a 60-minute lunch.
How is the annual figure computed?
Weekly pay multiplied by the weeks per year you enter, 52 by default.
Does it use state overtime rules?
This comparison uses the federal 40-hour rule. For daily overtime states use the Time Card Calculator with the state preset.