💰 Guaranteed Day Rate User Guide
The Guaranteed Day Rate feature in Roll Credits ensures that eligible employees receive their full day rate — even if they work fewer hours than the standard day length. This functionality supports industry-standard payroll practices, particularly those required by union contracts and production agreements.
📌 What is a Guaranteed Day Rate?
A Guaranteed Day Rate is a pay structure where employees are compensated their full daily rate, regardless of actual hours worked — provided their hours fall within the expected day length. This is common in film, TV, and live event productions where union or contract terms guarantee minimum daily pay.
⭐ Key Benefits
✅ Simplified Payroll
Automatically calculates pay with minimal manual adjustment.📄 Contract Compliance
Helps meet union or crew agreement obligations.🛠️ Flexible Wage Periods
Supports multiple day-rate structures: Five Hour, Ten Hour, Twelve Hour, or Daily.⏱️ Overtime Ready
Calculates additional pay automatically when employees exceed standard hours.
⚙️ How It Works
When Guaranteed Day Rate is enabled for an employee:
If they work fewer hours than their standard day, they still receive the full day rate.
If they work more, overtime is added based on the hourly equivalent of their day rate.
Roll Credits handles all this automatically in the timesheet and payroll system.
🧮 Wage Period Conversions
Each wage period has its own standard hours and conversion method for calculating the equivalent hourly rate:
Wage Period | Standard Hours | Hourly Rate Calculation |
Five Hour Day | 5 hours | Day rate ÷ 5 |
Ten Hour Day | 10 hours | Day rate ÷ 11 |
Twelve Hour Day | 12 hours | Day rate ÷ 14 |
Daily | N/A (flat rate) | Paid as-is (no hour-based conversion) |
🛠️ Enabling Guaranteed Day Rate
To activate this feature for an employee:
Navigate to the Payroll Dashboard
Add or Edit the employee’s profile
Choose a non-hourly wage period (Five, Ten, Twelve Hour Day, or Daily)
Check the box: “Is this a guaranteed day rate?”
Complete the profile and Save
📊 Impact on Timesheets
When an employee with a Guaranteed Day Rate is scheduled:
A banner will appear on their timesheet
Wage calculations will apply the guaranteed minimum, regardless of short hours
Overtime is shown separately when hours exceed the standard day
Meal penalties and other time-based calculations are based on the equivalent hourly rate
📘 Common Scenarios
Scenario 1: Fewer Hours Worked
Wage Period: Ten Hour Day
Rate: $550
Hours Worked: 6
Without GDR | 6 hours x $50/hr = $300 |
With GDR | Full day rate = $550 |
Scenario 2: Overtime Applied
Wage Period: Ten Hour Day
Rate: $550
Hours Worked: 12
Base Pay | $550 (first 10 hours) |
Overtime | 2 hours at $75/hr (1.5x $50) |
Total | $550 + $150 = $700 |
✅ Best Practices
Use Guaranteed Day Rate for unionized employees or when contracts specify minimum daily compensation
Always match the wage period to the contract
Review timesheets for any flagged overtime or penalty calculations
Ensure rates comply with state minimum wage laws
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use this feature for hourly employees?
No. It only applies to non-hourly wage periods: Five, Ten, Twelve Hour Day, or Daily.
How is overtime calculated?
Based on the hourly equivalent of the day rate:
For example, a $550 Ten Hour Day = $50/hour → Overtime = 1.5x or 2x this base.
Can I change this setting after an employee is created?
Yes. Simply edit the employee profile and toggle the Guaranteed Day Rate option on or off.
How are meal penalties calculated?
Meal penalties are based on the hourly equivalent rate of the employee’s day rate.
🆘 Need Help?
For setup assistance or questions about Guaranteed Day Rate, reach out to us at:
📧 help@rollcredits.io
❓ Guaranteed Day Rate – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the Guaranteed Day Rate (GDR)?
The Guaranteed Day Rate ensures an employee is paid their full day rate, even if they work fewer hours than the standard workday for their wage period. It’s commonly used for unionized or contracted roles in film, TV, and live events.
2. Who should use this feature?
Use Guaranteed Day Rate for:
Employees working under union contracts
Crew members with fixed daily rates
Anyone entitled to minimum daily compensation
3. Can this be used for hourly employees?
No. Guaranteed Day Rate is only available for non-hourly wage periods, including:
Five Hour Day
Ten Hour Day
Twelve Hour Day
Daily (flat rate)
4. How is the hourly rate calculated for overtime?
The hourly rate is based on the day rate divided by a fixed number of hours per wage period:
Wage Period | Divisor |
Five Hour Day | 5 |
Ten Hour Day | 11 |
Twelve Hour Day | 14 |
For example, a $550 Ten Hour Day = $50/hour (550 ÷ 11).
5. How does GDR affect timesheet calculations?
If the employee works less than their standard day:
They are still paid the full day rate.If they work more:
Overtime is automatically calculated based on their hourly equivalent.Meal penalties and other time-based calculations also use the hourly equivalent.
6. Can I change this setting after creating an employee?
Yes! You can edit an employee’s profile at any time to enable or disable the Guaranteed Day Rate option.
7. Does this impact compliance with state minimum wage?
Yes. Make sure the calculated hourly equivalent of the day rate meets or exceeds your state’s minimum wage requirements.
8. What if an employee has multiple wage periods?
Choose the wage period that matches their contract, and apply the Guaranteed Day Rate accordingly.
9. Where do I go if I need help?
Contact Roll Credits Support:
📧 help@rollcredits.io
✅ Guaranteed Day Rate – Quick-Start Checklist
🔹 Step 1: Set Up the Employee Profile
✔ Go to the Payroll Dashboard
✔ Add a new employee or edit an existing one
✔ Select a non-hourly wage period:
Five Hour Day
Ten Hour Day
Twelve Hour Day
Daily
✔ Check the box: "Is this a guaranteed day rate?"
✔ Save the profile
🔹 Step 2: Understand Wage Behavior
✔ If the employee works fewer hours than their standard day → Full day rate is still paid
✔ If they work more than standard hours → Overtime is applied
Overtime rate = Hourly equivalent × 1.5x (or 2x as applicable)
✔ Meal penalties are calculated using the hourly equivalent
🔹 Step 3: Review Timesheets
✔ Check for the GDR banner at the top of the timesheet
✔ Confirm guaranteed pay is applied
✔ Review overtime and penalties (if hours exceed the standard)
✔ Make sure rates comply with minimum wage laws