Articles on: Time Entries and Clock Ins

Common Overtime Scenarios

TimeKeeper can accommodate most overtime rules and scenarios - pay an enhanced rate on a Tuesday morning? We've got you. Double time on a weekend? Sure thing! This guide highlights some of the most common and complex overtime examples we come across and how to configure these in TimeKeeper. Let's take a look!

Enhanced rates on set days
Enhanced rate on long days
Enhanced rate after a set time
Enhanced rate for overnight
Period based overtime (fortnightly, monthly)

Overtime on Set Days

If you pay overtime on a set day, there are a few ways you can manage this in TimeKeeper, depending on your rules.

Specify Overtime Rates Per Day

This setting will pay the specified rate once the overtime trigger has been met (over the contracted hours in this instance)

There's the option to pay overtime for any non-working days, regardless of hours worked during the week. In this example, the working pattern shows Monday-Friday as working days. If enabled, the employee will be paid overtime if they work Saturday and/or Sunday - even if the weekly contracted hours have not been met.

Overtime on Long Days (after X hours)

If you pay overtime after a certain number of hours, the following settings will help manage this.

There is also the option to require the weekly contracted hours to be met before daily overtime is counted. You can also use intraday hour blocks to achieve similar, or add different rates after different hours worked:

The option to only enable this overtime after weekly contracted hours have been worked is available, but in this scenario overtime will be paid based on the hours and days worked.

Overtime After a Set Time

If you pay overtime after a specific time of day, the following settings will help you manage this.

There will need to be an overtime trigger in place (such as over 40 hours) in order for this setting to be applied. You can also achieve similar by using intraday time blocks as shown below, including multiple rates:

The rates specified will be applied when working between the times stated.

Overtime Rate for Overnight

If you pay an enhanced rate for overnight work, the following settings will help you manage this.

You have the option to also have 'standard' overtime (such as above 40 hours a week), should this be required.

Overtime Beyond a Week

If you manage overtime across a payroll period or multiple weeks, the following settings will help you manage this.

Period based overtime will use the expected hours (scheduled) over the time the timesheet spans (for example, 4 weeks) and count overtime above that figure. This is useful if overtime is calculated over the month, and not on a weekly basis.

The above notes are a guide only to help you understand overtime rules within TimeKeeper and how you can make this work for your organisation and requirements. More details on overtime can be found here. If you have any questions or scenarios you're unsure how to configure, please reach out to the team via live chat or email support@timekeeper.co.uk.

Updated on: 20/05/2026

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