Payroll & Time Glossary

Short, precise definitions of the terms that come up around time cards, overtime, and payroll — each one self-contained, with a worked example and a link to the calculator that does the math.

• What Is Time and a Half?

  1.5× your regular rate, required by federal law for hours over 40 in a workweek — how to calculate it, with a worked example.

• What Is Double Time?

  Twice your regular rate. Why the FLSA never requires it, and where double time actually comes from — policy, contracts, or state law.

• What Is a Pay Period?

  Weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, and monthly schedules — how many paychecks each gives, and the bi-weekly vs semi-monthly trap.

• Exempt vs. Non-Exempt Employees

  Who is owed overtime and who is not — the three FLSA tests that decide it, and why a job title or a salary alone does not.

• What Is Gross Pay?

  Total earnings before deductions vs net take-home pay — how to calculate gross pay for hourly and salaried workers.

• What Is the Regular Rate of Pay?

  The FLSA figure overtime is actually based on — total straight-time pay divided by hours, and why it often beats the base wage.

• What Is Shift Differential Pay?

  Extra pay for nights, evenings, or weekends — not federally required, but it raises your overtime rate when paid.