Shift premium

Shift premium is extra pay given to employees who work outside standard daytime hours. It is common in hospitality, healthcare, retail, and other industries that operate outside the traditional nine-to-five working day.

Typical scenarios that attract shift premium include:

• Night shifts and graveyard shifts
• Weekend working
• Bank and public holidays
• Early morning or late evening shifts
• Split shifts that span unsocial hours

There is no statutory requirement in the UK to pay a shift premium, except where it would take pay below the National Minimum Wage. Many employers offer premium rates to attract and retain staff for less desirable shifts.

Managing shift premiums effectively requires clear policies and accurate time tracking. Over-reliance on premium shifts can significantly increase labour costs.

AceRota supports custom pay rates and shift premium rules, ensuring staff are paid correctly and managers can see premium costs during rota planning.