Overtime and Holiday Pay Calculators: Know What You're Owed

When it comes to fair pay, knowledge is power. Millions of workers across the U.S. rely on their paychecks to support their families, cover daily expenses, and plan for their futures. But what happens when your employer fails to pay you what you're owed, like overtime or holiday pay?

Too often, wage and hour violations go unnoticed or unchallenged simply because employees aren’t sure what they should be earning. Overtime and holiday pay calculators are tools designed to help workers understand their rights and estimate what they should be paid under the law.

At Morgan & Morgan, we believe that your hard work should be compensated accordingly and legally. If you feel cheated of wages you deserve, contact Morgan & Morgan today for a free case evaluation to learn more about your legal options.

What Is Overtime Pay?

Overtime pay is additional compensation required by law when a non-exempt employee works more than a certain number of hours in a workweek, typically over 40 hours. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), overtime pay must be at least 1.5 times your regular hourly rate for every hour worked beyond 40.

For instance, if you make $20/hour and work 45 hours in a week:

• Regular pay = 40 x $20 = $800
• Overtime pay = 5 x $30 (1.5 x $20) = $150
• Total pay = $950

Some states have more generous overtime laws, including daily overtime (like California, which requires overtime pay after 8 hours in a single day).

What Is Holiday Pay?

Unlike overtime, holiday pay is not federally required. Employers aren’t obligated by law to pay extra for working on federal holidays, but many do, either because it’s part of their policy or a union agreement.

Holiday pay typically falls into one of these categories:

• Double time (2x your regular pay)
• Time and a half (1.5x your regular pay)
• Straight pay with a substitute day off (common in salaried roles)
   

Common paid holidays can include:

• New Year’s Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

If your employer has promised holiday pay in your contract, employee handbook, or union agreement and then fails to deliver, you may have a legal claim.

What Are Overtime and Holiday Pay Calculators?

Overtime and holiday pay calculators are online tools or apps that help employees determine how much money they’re owed when they work beyond normal hours or on holidays. These calculators typically ask for:

• Your regular hourly wage
• Number of overtime hours worked
• Type of holiday worked (if applicable)
• Any relevant bonuses or commissions
• State or locality, to factor in additional protections

By plugging in this data, you can quickly generate an estimate of your total pay. While these calculators don’t replace legal advice, they’re a great first step in determining whether you’re being shortchanged.

How to Use an Overtime Pay Calculator

Here’s a simple walkthrough of how to use a typical overtime calculator:

Step 1: Determine Your Regular Pay Rate

Include your hourly wage, plus any non-discretionary bonuses (such as performance bonuses or commissions). These should be factored into your "regular rate of pay."

Step 2: Count All Hours Worked

Include every hour spent on the clock, whether it's time spent setting up, cleaning up, working through breaks, or staying late. Off-the-clock work is still work.

Step 3: Enter Your Overtime Hours

Enter how many hours you worked beyond 40 hours in a workweek. The calculator will apply the time-and-a-half rate.

Step 4: Get Your Estimate

Most calculators will then show:

• Your regular pay
• Your overtime pay
• Your total estimated paycheck
   

Why Holiday Pay Calculators Are More Complex

Holiday pay calculators are a bit more nuanced because there’s no federal law requiring it. Instead, these calculators rely on:

• Your company’s holiday policy
• Your employment agreement or union contract
• Whether the holiday worked qualifies for premium pay

Some companies offer floating holidays, comp time, or allow workers to “bank” hours worked on holidays for use later. A holiday pay calculator will often prompt you to choose whether your employer offers double time, time and a half, or standard holiday bonuses.

Are You Being Paid Fairly?

It can be hard to know whether you’re being paid correctly, especially if your hours fluctuate or your employer’s policies aren’t clear. Here are some red flags that your employer may be violating wage and hour laws:

• You're told to clock out but continue working
• You're misclassified as an "independent contractor" or salaried worker to avoid overtime
• You're denied holiday pay that’s promised in writing
• You’re pressured to work through unpaid breaks or lunch
• Your employer averages hours over two weeks to avoid paying overtime
  
   

Common Employer Violations Involving Overtime or Holiday Pay

Unfortunately, wage theft is more common than many people realize. Here are some of the most frequent violations:

Misclassifying Employees

Employers may wrongly classify a worker as “exempt” from overtime or call them an “independent contractor” to avoid paying time-and-a-half.

Off-the-Clock Work

If you’re being asked to do tasks before or after your shift or during unpaid breaks, you should be compensated for that time.

Fudging Time Records

Employers may adjust time sheets to keep hours under 40/week or remove overtime hours altogether.

Improper Calculation of Overtime

Some employers base overtime on your base hourly wage without including bonuses or commissions, which lowers the overall amount owed.

What to Do If You’re Owed Overtime or Holiday Pay

If you worked overtime or put in the extra effort during the holiday and your employer failed to compensate you accordingly, take the following steps to protect your rights and your wages.

• Document Everything: Keep your own record of hours worked, paystubs, schedules, and company policies or emails related to pay.
• Use a Calculator to Estimate Owed Wages: This gives you a concrete number to reference when speaking with your employer or attorney.
• Speak With HR or Your Employer: In some cases, a simple conversation can resolve an error, especially if it was unintentional.
• File a Complaint With the Department of Labor (DOL): If your employer refuses to pay, you can file a wage complaint with your state labor department or the federal DOL.
• Contact Morgan & Morgan: If you’ve been systematically underpaid, you may be entitled to back pay, damages, and legal fees. That’s where Morgan & Morgan can help.
   

How Morgan & Morgan Can Help

At Morgan & Morgan, we’ve helped thousands of workers across the country stand up to wage theft. Our wage and hour attorneys know how to uncover hidden violations, calculate exactly what you’re owed, and fight for every dollar.

We handle cases involving:

• Overtime violations
• Holiday pay disputes
• Misclassification as exempt or contractor
• Off-the-clock work
• Retaliation for complaining about pay

With no upfront fees and a free, confidential case review, there’s nothing to lose by speaking with our team.

Using an overtime or holiday pay calculator is a smart, proactive way to understand your rights. But if you suspect your employer is underpaying you or violating labor laws, it’s time to go a step further.

Morgan & Morgan is here to help you take the next step. We’ve recovered over $25 billion for our clients, and we’re ready to fight for you.

Hiring one of our lawyers is easy, and you can get started in minutes with a free case evaluation.