Glossary

Double Time

Double time is a pay rate of twice the regular hourly rate. It is a premium for certain hours - for example, work beyond a daily threshold, on a seventh consecutive day, or on a holiday - depending on law, contract, or policy.

How it works

  • Where it applies, hours are paid at 2x instead of the usual 1.5x for overtime.
  • The US has no federal double-time rule, but some states (for example California) require it beyond 12 hours a day.
  • Elsewhere it is set by contract or collective agreement, not statute.

Why it matters

Double time makes some hours far more expensive, so accurate hour records and thresholds keep payroll correct and costs predictable.

How Sandtime.io fits

Sandtime.io records hours as work happens, so premium hours are captured accurately before they reach payroll. Model thresholds with the overtime calculator.

Double time is a higher tier of overtime pay, applies mostly to non-exempt employees, and builds on the hourly rate.

Related Terms

Explore other time tracking and workforce management definitions.

Overtime

Hours worked beyond the standard workweek. Often subject to premium pay rates and labor law regulations.

Read more →

Exempt vs Non-Exempt Employee

Under the US FLSA, non-exempt employees are entitled to minimum wage and overtime while exempt employees are not, based on duties and salary, not job title.

Read more →

Hourly Rate

The monetary amount charged or paid per hour of work. Used to calculate revenue and cost from tracked time.

Read more →