Worked example 1
A shift runs 08:30–17:00 with a 30-minute unpaid break. Paid hours?
- 08:30 to 17:00 = 8 h 30 min
- Minus 30 min break = 8 h
Answer: 8 hours
Maths for adults · Workplace maths
Workplace maths: shift hours and pay
Check payslips, plan rotas and estimate earnings using the same time and money calculations used at work.
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How it works
Shift length: count on from the start time to the end time, then subtract unpaid breaks.
Convert minutes to decimal hours by dividing by 60: 30 min = 0.5 h, 15 min = 0.25 h, 45 min = 0.75 h.
Pay = hours × hourly rate. Overtime at 'time and a half' is 1.5 × the normal rate.
Worked example 2
7.5 hours at £12.40 per hour?
- 7 × £12.40 = £86.80
- 0.5 × £12.40 = £6.20
- Total £93.00
Answer: £93.00
Try it
Practice sheet
Workplace maths · Standard
Time, shifts and pay
NameDate
Use the 24-hour clock. Give pay to the nearest penny.
- 1.Shift 10:00–18:30, 45-min unpaid break. Paid hours?
- 2.Shift 10:00–17:30, 30-min unpaid break. Paid hours?
- 3.21.5 hours at £14.20/hour =
- 4.Shift 10:00–19:30, 60-min unpaid break. Paid hours?
- 5.20 hours at £17.83/hour =
- 6.25.5 hours at £11.28/hour =
- 7.Shift 06:30–14:00, 60-min unpaid break. Paid hours?
- 8.17.5 hours at £13.58/hour =
- 9.Shift 08:30–13:30, 45-min unpaid break. Paid hours?
- 10.Shift 09:30–15:00, 60-min unpaid break. Paid hours?
- 11.Shift 09:00–17:00, 0-min unpaid break. Paid hours?
- 12.28 hours at £13.46/hour =
Answers and explanations
- Shift 10:00–18:30, 45-min unpaid break. Paid hours?7.75 h8.5 h − 0.75 h = 7.75 h.
- Shift 10:00–17:30, 30-min unpaid break. Paid hours?7 h7.5 h − 0.5 h = 7 h.
- 21.5 hours at £14.20/hour =£305.3021.5 × £14.20 = £305.30.
- Shift 10:00–19:30, 60-min unpaid break. Paid hours?8.5 h9.5 h − 1 h = 8.5 h.
- 20 hours at £17.83/hour =£356.6020 × £17.83 = £356.60.
- 25.5 hours at £11.28/hour =£287.6425.5 × £11.28 = £287.64.
- Shift 06:30–14:00, 60-min unpaid break. Paid hours?6.5 h7.5 h − 1 h = 6.5 h.
- 17.5 hours at £13.58/hour =£237.6517.5 × £13.58 = £237.65.
- Shift 08:30–13:30, 45-min unpaid break. Paid hours?4.25 h5 h − 0.75 h = 4.25 h.
- Shift 09:30–15:00, 60-min unpaid break. Paid hours?4.5 h5.5 h − 1 h = 4.5 h.
- Shift 09:00–17:00, 0-min unpaid break. Paid hours?8 h8 h − 0 h = 8 h.
- 28 hours at £13.46/hour =£376.8828 × £13.46 = £376.88.
Last reviewed: 25 September 2026