Income & Work

What Is a Workweek?

A workweek is a fixed, recurring period of seven consecutive days (168 hours) used to measure hours worked. Under the US Fair Labor Standards Act, overtime is calculated per workweek, not averaged over longer periods. The workweek does not have to start on Monday; the employer sets it.

Overtime and the Workweek

Hours over 40 in a single workweek count as overtime for non-exempt employees, even if another week had fewer hours.

Example

An employee who works 30 hours one week and 50 hours the next is owed 10 hours of overtime for the second week, even though the two-week total is 80 hours, because each workweek stands alone for overtime purposes.

🧮 Calculate It Yourself

Put Workweek into practice with these free calculators — no sign-up, nothing stored.

⏱️ Overtime Pay Calculator See your regular pay, overtime pay, and total for the week. Calculate → 🕐 Time Card Calculator Enter your week's clock times to get total hours and estimated pay. Calculate →

🔗 Related Terms

Overtime Pay Non-Exempt Employee Timesheet Pay Period Paid Time Off (PTO)

More Income & Work Terms

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Last updated: September 27, 2026. This definition is for general educational purposes only. It is not financial, investment, tax, legal, or medical advice, and it does not recommend any product or course of action. For decisions about your own situation, consult a qualified professional.