Time Card Calculator

Weekly Work Hours & Overtime Tracker

Employee / Project Name

Rounding

Day	From	To	Break (Mins)	Hours	Status
Total Weekly Hours:	0.00

Report Notes

Entry Error

Please check the time formats. Use 8:00AM, 17:30, or 9.45 formats.

Understanding Wages and Overtime Regulations

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

The FLSA establishes federal minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and youth employment standards. As of 2026, the federal minimum wage stands at $7.25 per hour, though many states mandate higher rates.

Overtime Rules

Non-exempt employees are entitled to overtime pay at a rate of at least 1.5 times their regular pay for hours worked over 40 in a single workweek.

Exempt vs. Non-Exempt Employees

One of the most critical distinctions in employment law is whether a worker is classified as exempt or non-exempt. This determines their eligibility for overtime pay.

Entitled to minimum wage and overtime pay. Most hourly workers fall into this category. Employers must track their hours accurately and pay 1.5x for anything over 40 hours per week.

Generally not entitled to overtime pay. To be exempt, an employee usually must:

Be paid at least $35,568 per year ($684 per week).
Be paid on a salary basis.
Perform "white-collar" duties (Executive, Administrative, or Professional).

Exemption Categories

Executive

Managing the enterprise, supervising at least two employees, and having authority in hiring/firing.

Administrative

Non-manual office work related to management or general business operations, such as HR, payroll, or accounting.

Professional

Work requiring advanced knowledge in science or learning (Learned Professionals) or talent in a creative field.

A Brief History of Time Tracking

The industrial revolution birthed the need for precise timekeeping. In 1894, Daniel M. Cooper invented the Rochester Time Recorder, the first machine to use rectangular clock cards. Before this, systems like the Bundy Key Recorder (1888) used number keys to stamp times on tape.

IBM, under Thomas J. Watson, eventually dominated the market, turning time recording into a corporate science. Today, we've evolved from physical punch cards to biometric scanners and cloud-based digital trackers like the one above.

Key Takeaways

Track Everything: Accurate time logs protect both employees and employers in case of wage disputes.
Check State Laws: Many states have higher minimum wages or stricter overtime rules than federal standards.
Blue-Collar Protections: Manual laborers and first responders are almost always non-exempt, regardless of their salary.