Overtime Basics in the US, Canada, UK and Australia
Last updated · By the DropFlick team
Overtime rules depend on where you work, your job and your contract. This overview explains the common rules in four countries so you can set up our calculators correctly. It is general information, not legal advice; the official sources linked below are the authority.
United States
- Federal rule: under the Fair Labor Standards Act, covered non-exempt employees must receive at least 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. There is no federal daily overtime. (US Department of Labor)
- Each workweek stands alone: hours are not averaged over two weeks, even with biweekly pay.
- State rules can add more. California, for example, requires overtime after 8 hours in a day and double time after 12 hours in a day, as well as the weekly rule (California DIR).
Calculator setting: Over 40 h / week, or California where it applies.
Canada
Overtime is set by the federal government for federally regulated workplaces and by each province or territory for everyone else. Common thresholds:
- Federally regulated employers: generally after 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week, at 1.5× (Government of Canada).
- Ontario: generally after 44 hours a week, at 1.5× (Ontario).
- Other provinces use their own daily and weekly limits. Check your province's employment standards office.
Calculator setting: Over 8 h / day and 40 h / week, Over 44 h / week, or custom thresholds.
United Kingdom
- There is no legal right to extra pay for overtime; any overtime rate comes from your contract.
- Your average pay for all hours worked must not fall below the National Minimum Wage.
- The Working Time Regulations limit most workers to an average of 48 hours a week unless they opt out.
- Source: GOV.UK: Overtime, your rights.
Calculator setting: custom thresholds and the multiplier from your contract (for example 1.5× after 37.5 hours).
Australia
- The National Employment Standards set a maximum of 38 ordinary hours a week for full-time employees, plus reasonable additional hours.
- Overtime rates and triggers come from your award or enterprise agreement. Many awards pay higher rates for the first hours of overtime and more after that.
- Source: Fair Work Ombudsman.
Calculator setting: Over 38 h / week or custom thresholds with your award's multipliers.
Working it out
Once you know your rule, the overtime calculator works out overtime pay from your hours and rate. The time card calculator does it straight from your clock times.