Why overtime is counted per week
A biweekly pay period is still two separate workweeks under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Working 50 hours in week one and 30 in week two is 80 hours in total, but 10 of them are overtime, because week one went past 40. This calculator splits the card into Week 1 and Week 2 and applies the 40 hour limit to each.
Biweekly vs semi-monthly
Biweekly means every two weeks, 26 paychecks a year. Semi-monthly means twice a month, usually the 15th and the last day, 24 paychecks a year. For a semi-monthly period, fill in the days that fall inside it and leave the rest empty.
Tips for a two week card
- Fill in the first day, then use Copy to weekdays to copy it to the other weekdays of both weeks.
- Use the arrows next to the dates to move to the pay period you need.
- Download a CSV at the end of the period and keep it with your pay stub.
Questions
How do I calculate hours worked with a lunch break?
Subtract the clock-in time from the clock-out time, then subtract the unpaid break. 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM is 8 hours 30 minutes; minus a 30 minute lunch it is 8 hours, or 8.00 in decimal.
How do I count a night shift that ends after midnight?
If the clock-out time is earlier than the clock-in time, the shift ended the next day, so 24 hours are added to the clock-out time before subtracting. These calculators do it for you and mark the shift with a moon.
How many hours is a full time biweekly pay period?
Two 40 hour weeks: 80 hours. Anything above 40 in either week is overtime for non-exempt employees under federal law.