Work
Pay for the overtime band
Only the hours above the threshold attract the multiplier. The max ensures a week under the threshold produces no overtime at all.
The Formula
Overtime pay = max(0, H - T) x R x M
Only the hours above the threshold attract the multiplier. The max ensures a week under the threshold produces no overtime at all.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| M | Overtime multiplier | dimensionless | 1.5 for time and a half, 2 for double time, occasionally more by contract. |
| Pot | Overtime pay | currency | The premium band alone, before it is added to the standard band. |
What Each Symbol Means
Mdimensionless
Overtime multiplier
1.5 for time and a half, 2 for double time, occasionally more by contract.
Potcurrency
Overtime pay
The premium band alone, before it is added to the standard band.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate overtime pay page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate Overtime Pay, filed under Everyday Life. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.