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TOOL #2: WAGE & HOUR COMPLIANCE

The "Regular Rate" Trap

Most payroll errors happen when bonuses or commissions are paid in overtime weeks. See exactly how much you might be underpaying by using the standard 1.5x Base Rate vs the FLSA Regular Rate.

Scenario Inputs

10 OT hours this week

Bonus Pay This Week

NAIVE CALCULATION
Assumed OT Rate$30.00
Total Pay$1600.00
FLSA COMPLIANT
True Regular Rate$30.00
True OT Rate$45.00
Total Pay$1650.00
⚠️
Potential Underpayment: $50.00

Using the naive OT calculation this week would underpay this employee by $50.00. Over time, this compounds into significant FLSA liability.

Related guides

FLSA

FLSA Overtime for Salaried Non-Exempt Employees: What Payroll Gets Wrong

Salaried doesn't mean exempt. Non-exempt salaried employees are entitled to overtime under the FLSA, and the calculation method is different from hourly workers. Here's how it works.

FLSA

The FLSA Regular Rate Trap: Why Bonuses Make Overtime More Expensive Than You Think

Most payroll managers know overtime is 1.5x. What trips teams up is that nondiscretionary bonuses increase the 'regular rate' — which means your overtime liability is higher than your base hourly rate suggests.