--- title: Guaranteed Day Rate User Guide | Roll Credits Help Center description: Guides --- [Skip to content](https://help.rollcredits.io/guaranteed-day-rate-user-guide-roll-credits-help-center#main-content) ![](https://help.rollcredits.io/hs-fs/hubfs/RC%20Horizonal%20Logo.png?width=150&height=30&name=RC%20Horizonal%20Logo.png) Open main navigation Close main navigation - Contact us Contact us How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Guides](https://47441426.hs-sites-na2.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Payroll](https://47441426.hs-sites-na2.com/payroll?hsLang=en) # Guaranteed Day Rate User Guide | Roll Credits Help Center ### Guaranteed Day Rate User Guide RollCredits supports a Guaranteed Day Rate feature that ensures employees receive their full day rate regardless of actual hours worked. Written by Chase Gladish May 1, 2025 ### 💰 **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. **✅ 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. 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: **Tables can't be imported directly. Please insert an image of your table which can be found [here](https://47441426.hs-sites-na2.com/guaranteed-day-rate-user-guide-roll-credits-help-center?hsLang=en).** **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: 1. Navigate to the **Payroll Dashboard** 2. **Add** or **Edit** the employee’s profile 3. Choose a **non-hourly wage period** (Five, Ten, Twelve Hour Day, or Daily) 4. Check the box: **“Is this a guaranteed day rate?”** 5. Complete the profile and **Save** 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** 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 **Wage Period**: Ten Hour Day **Rate**: $550 **Hours Worked**: 6 **Tables can't be imported directly. Please insert an image of your table which can be found [here](https://47441426.hs-sites-na2.com/guaranteed-day-rate-user-guide-roll-credits-help-center?hsLang=en).** 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 **Wage Period**: Ten Hour Day **Rate**: $550 **Hours Worked**: 12 **Tables can't be imported directly. Please insert an image of your table which can be found [here](https://47441426.hs-sites-na2.com/guaranteed-day-rate-user-guide-roll-credits-help-center?hsLang=en).** 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** 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](mailto: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** 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) 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: **Tables can't be imported directly. Please insert an image of your table which can be found [here](https://47441426.hs-sites-na2.com/guaranteed-day-rate-user-guide-roll-credits-help-center?hsLang=en).** **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. 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](mailto: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 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) 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** - [FAQs](https://47441426.hs-sites-na2.com/faqs?hsLang=en) - [Project](https://47441426.hs-sites-na2.com/project?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Team](https://47441426.hs-sites-na2.com/project?hsLang=en#team) - [Payments](https://47441426.hs-sites-na2.com/payments?hsLang=en) - [Transactions](https://47441426.hs-sites-na2.com/transactions?hsLang=en) - [Payroll](https://47441426.hs-sites-na2.com/payroll?hsLang=en) - [Payroll](https://47441426.hs-sites-na2.com/payroll?hsLang=en) - [Budget](https://47441426.hs-sites-na2.com/budget?hsLang=en) - [Transactions](https://47441426.hs-sites-na2.com/transactions?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Edit Transactions](https://47441426.hs-sites-na2.com/transactions?hsLang=en#edit-transactions) - [Cards](https://47441426.hs-sites-na2.com/cards?hsLang=en) - [Company](https://47441426.hs-sites-na2.com/company?hsLang=en) - [Approvals](https://47441426.hs-sites-na2.com/approvals?hsLang=en) - [Settings](https://47441426.hs-sites-na2.com/settings?hsLang=en) - [Reconciliation](https://47441426.hs-sites-na2.com/reconciliation?hsLang=en) - [User Role Guides](https://47441426.hs-sites-na2.com/user-role-guides?hsLang=en) [![](https://help.rollcredits.io/hs-fs/hubfs/RC%20Horizonal%20Logo.png?width=150&height=30&name=RC%20Horizonal%20Logo.png)](https://rollcredits.io) Copyright © 2026, RollCredits