Beyond the 9 to 5: What is a shift differential and how does it work?

In today’s ever-evolving workforce, the 9 to 5 workday is not always the norm. Many organizations operate around the clock, requiring employees to work the night shift or on weekends. To make these shifts more appealing, organizations offer a boost in pay to encourage employees to work less popular shifts. The extra wages not only acknowledge and reward the employee for working hours non-standard business hours but also makes it easier for employers to fill their schedules, including those hard-to-fill shifts. In this article we will take a deep dive into shift differentials, exploring what they are, how they work, why they matter in today’s diverse workforce—and how to make informed decisions when creating a shift differential policy and selecting a time and attendance solution to manage it.

What is a shift differential?

Shift differential is additional compensation an employee earns for working unfavorable hours or hours beyond the standard schedule. Although there is no legal requirement for an employer to use shift differentials, many organizations offer shift differentials to incentivize employees to opt for less desirable shifts beyond the typical workday. While it’s more common to extend this incentive to hourly employees, salaried employees may also receive shift differential pay. Shift differential pay can vary depending on department or job at a single employer and multiple employees can work the same available differential shift.

Shift differential vs. overtime

Not to be confused with overtime, the terms and pay criteria for shift differential differ. Overtime refers to an increased factor of pay (e.g., one and a half times the contracted/regular pay rate) that comes into play once the overtime threshold is surpassed. Shift differential refers to a pay premium, determined in dollar amount or percentage by the employer, for working hours that are outside of standard work hours or are less desirable. Overtime pay is required by federal and state laws, but shift differential pay is not. An employee can benefit from overtime and shift differential simultaneously on the same paycheck.

What types of employers use shift differentials?

Shift differentials are prevalent in organizations that operate 24/7 to address staffing challenges. Although not limited to, here are some employers who commonly use shift differentials:

• Healthcare facilities
• Manufacturing
• Customer service centers
• Retail Stores
• Hospitality (Restaurants, Hotels, etc.)
• Transportation companies
• Public safety

How to calculate shift differential pay

Many organizations leverage time and attendance software to streamline the calculations of shift differential pay, but some still handle the task manually. If you choose to calculate shift differential pay manually, understanding how to is crucial. Here are some basic steps:

1. Determine the regular pay rate: The contracted normal hourly rate; let’s say $25 per hour
2. Identify the differential rate: Either a dollar amount or a percentage of the hourly regular pay rate; let’s say a company pays 20% more for the third shift
3. Multiply the regular pay rate by the differential rate: Regular pay rate x differential rate, in this case, $25 per hour x .2 = $5 (differential value)
4. Add the differential value to the regular pay rate: Regular pay rate + differential value, in this case, $25 + $5 = $30 per hour earned to work the third shift

Let’s apply the four steps in a real-world example:

For instance, Travis works for a semiconductor manufacturer at $30 per hour and chooses to work all 40 hours of the week on the night shift with a 15% differential. His pay is calculated as follows:

Regular pay rate: $30 per hour

Differential value: $30 x .15 = $4.50

Total hourly pay: $30 + $4.50 = $34.50

Total weekly pay: 40 hours x $34.50 = $1,380

If Travis chooses to work only two night shifts of 8 hours each during the 40-hour week, the calculation adjusts accordingly:

Regular pay rate: $30 per hour

Differential value: $30 x .15 = $4.50

Total hourly pay with shift differential: $30 + $4.50 = $34.50

Total weekly regular pay: $30 per hour x 24 hours = $720

Total weekly pay with shift differential (for two night shifts): $34.50 x 16 = $552

Total weekly pay: $720 + $552 = $1,272

The aforementioned scenario represents one of several complex payroll situations that may occur, with cumbersome calculations leading to a higher risk of mistakes. TCP’s TimeClock Plus Shift Differential feature can fully automate the task of calculating shift differential pay, saving you time and money and eliminating human error. Additionally, the feature enables a 24-hour window to be segmented into different shift periods. All employees must do is clock in and out of a shift, and the tool handles the task of splitting the shift into its respective differentials.

Examples of shift differential

In addition to defining shift differential, it is worth exploring examples of the most common eligible shifts that receive differential pay:

• Second or third shift (also known as the night shift or graveyard shift): A manufacturer that produces products throughout the 24-hour day has a second and third shift that start after 5 pm.
• Weekends: Employees working Saturday or Sunday outside the normal Monday-Friday.

An employer may offer some, more, or none of these examples for shift differential pay, as shift differential is not required by law and at the discretion of each individual employer.

Shift differential policy criteria

Designing a shift differential policy isn’t a one-size-fits-all endeavor. By selecting an approach that matches your organization’s goals, bolsters compliance, and provides deserving benefits to your team, you can tailor a policy to suit your requirements and increase employee satisfaction. Consider including these key points in the shift differential section of your employee handbook:

• Identify the types of eligible shifts available to receive differential pay.
• Define who is eligible for shift differential pay – exempt, non-exempt, or all employees.
• Specify the differential rate as a percentage or an hourly dollar rate.
• Address how and if overtime calculations factor into total pay.
• Communicate the timeline of payment frequency.

Simplify your shift differential pay process with TCP Software

If your organization operates beyond the typical 9 to 5 work week, you may want to consider offering shift differentials. Shift differentials indicate that an employee’s commitment to the less popular shift is valued, thus contributing to a positive work environment while fostering employee morale. This incentive also helps you attract employees willing to work non-traditional hours, as it can be a positive deciding factor for the pool of prospective talent.

For your shift differential policy, it’s important to establish well-defined criteria. Otherwise, a confusing or unappealing policy could jeopardize employee satisfaction and operational efficiency. Just as important as a transparent shift differential policy is maintaining a transparent record of employee time and attendance for payroll. Manual payroll processes and spreadsheets with precise formulas and conditional formatting are subject to human error and lost time, leading to potential penalties, reputational damage, and a less than favorable employee experience.

TCP automates shift differential calculations as part of our TimeClock Plus time and attendance solution. TimeClock Plus provides accurate calculations across nuanced payroll rules, including shift differentials, as well as highly flexible time collection and robust leave management.

TimeClock Plus integrates with your payroll provider ensuring both accurate calculations and efficient payroll processes. To discover how much you can save on automating time and attendance with TCP’s solutions, explore the potential with our ROI calculator, or speak with an expert to identify your timekeeping needs and discover the best solution for your business.

FAQs