What is shift premium?
A shift premium is additional pay attached to particular working times or conditions, such as nights, weekends or other unsocial hours. It may be expressed as a percentage of the normal rate, a fixed amount per eligible hour or an enhanced multiplier. The wording and qualifying hours vary by employer and contract.
What is premium pay?
Premium pay generally describes extra compensation above a normal rate for specified hours or work patterns. This calculator does not assume that a premium is legally required; it simply values the premium rule you enter.
How the calculation works
A percentage premium multiplies the base rate by the entered percentage to find extra pay per eligible hour. A fixed allowance uses the entered £/hour amount directly. A multiplier such as 1.2× means total pay during the eligible hours is 1.2 times the base rate, so the premium element is the additional 0.2×.
GOV.UK — Overtime: your rights
GOV.UK — Calculating the minimum wage
These links provide general context only. Contractual terms and employer policy control the premium that actually applies.