Reporting Time Pay Calculator
Sent home early, or called in and given hardly any work? See how many extra hours of pay California law says you're owed.
In California, if you report to work as scheduled and your employer gives you less than half of your shift, you're owed pay for half the scheduled shift, at least 2 and at most 4 hours, at your regular rate. Hours you actually worked count toward it. Called back a second time the same day for less than 2 hours of work? You're paid for 2 hours.
Enter your scheduled shift, the hours you actually worked, and your hourly rate.
Reporting Time Pay Calculator
Reporting Time Pay Owed
Extra Hours Owed
Total Pay for the Day
How this is calculated
Section 5 of every California wage order (the Labor Commissioner applies it to almost all industries) says that each workday you're required to report and you're given less than half of your usual or scheduled day's work, you're paid for half that day, but at least 2 and no more than 4 hours, at your regular rate. The calculator follows the Labor Commissioner's worked examples: the hours you worked count toward that guarantee, so
Reporting time pay = (half the shift, kept between 2 and 4 hours) − hours worked, and nothing is owed once you've worked half the shift.
| Shift | Worked | Reporting time pay | Paid hours in total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 hours | 0 | 4 hours | 4 |
| 8 hours | 1 | 3 hours | 4 |
| 8 hours | 3 | 1 hour | 4 |
| 6 hours | 1 | 2 hours | 3 |
| 3 hours | 0 | 2 hours | 2 |
| 12 hours | 0 | 4 hours | 4 |
If you're required to report a second time in the same workday and get less than 2 hours of work, you're paid for 2 hours for that reporting. Reporting time pay is paid at your regular rate and is not counted as hours worked for overtime.
When reporting time pay isn't owed
- Operations can't begin or continue because of threats to employees or property, or civil authorities recommend that work not begin or continue.
- Public utilities fail to supply electricity, water or gas, or the sewer system fails.
- The interruption is caused by an act of God or another cause outside the employer's control.
- You are on paid standby.
- Your regularly scheduled shift is less than 2 hours.
- You leave on your own, for example to care for a sick child.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is reporting time pay in California?
If you report to work as scheduled and are sent home with less than half of your scheduled shift, you're paid for half the shift, but never less than 2 hours or more than 4 hours, at your regular rate. Hours you actually worked count toward that amount. Sent home after 1 hour of an 8-hour shift, you're paid the 1 hour worked plus 3 hours of reporting time pay.
What if I'm called back to work a second time the same day?
If your employer makes you report a second time in one workday and gives you less than 2 hours of work that time, you must be paid for 2 hours. A required 1-hour meeting after your shift earns 1 extra hour of pay.
When is reporting time pay not owed?
No reporting time pay is owed when operations can't begin or continue because of threats to employees or property, or civil authorities recommend that work not begin or continue; public utilities fail to supply electricity, water or gas, or the sewer system fails; the interruption is caused by an act of God or another cause outside the employer's control. It also doesn't apply when you are on paid standby, or your regularly scheduled shift is less than 2 hours, or you leave on your own, for example to care for a sick child.
Does reporting time pay count toward overtime?
No. The Labor Commissioner treats reporting time pay as a penalty for poor scheduling, not pay for hours worked, so it isn't counted when deciding whether you worked more than 8 hours in a day or 40 in a week.
What if my shift is cancelled before I show up?
Reporting time pay is for showing up. If your employer tells you not to come in before you report, no reporting time pay is owed under the state rule. Some cities, such as San Francisco, Emeryville and Los Angeles (for large retailers), have fair workweek ordinances that require predictability pay when a schedule changes on short notice.
This tool provides an educational estimate only and is not legal advice. Union contracts, local fair workweek laws and industry wage orders can add rights. Contact the Labor Commissioner's Office or an employment attorney about your situation.