Work out how much TOIL your employees have accrued from overtime hours. Supports standard, time-and-a-half, and double-time rates. Need to track leave? See our leave management software.
Total overtime hours worked beyond the employee's contracted hours
How much TOIL is earned per overtime hour (e.g. 1.5:1 means 1.5 hours TOIL per overtime hour)
Typical working day length to convert TOIL hours into days (e.g. 7.5 or 8 hours)
Based on a standard 7.5-hour working day.
| Overtime Hours | Rate | TOIL Hours | TOIL Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 1:1 | 4 | 0.53 |
| 8 | 1:1 | 8 | 1.07 |
| 4 | 1.5:1 | 6 | 0.80 |
| 8 | 1.5:1 | 12 | 1.60 |
| 4 | 2:1 | 8 | 1.07 |
| 8 | 2:1 | 16 | 2.13 |
Understanding TOIL and how it works for UK employers.
Time Off In Lieu (TOIL)is time off that an employee earns in exchange for working overtime. Instead of being paid extra for overtime hours, the employee receives equivalent time off at a later date. It's a flexible alternative to overtime pay that's popular with UK employers and employees alike.
TOIL accrual rates vary by employer. The most common is 1:1 (hour for hour), where each overtime hour earns one hour of time off. Some employers offer 1.5:1 (time and a half) or 2:1 (double time) for weekends, bank holidays, or unsociable hours.
There is no specific UK legislation governing TOIL — it depends on the employment contract and company policy. However, employers must still comply with the Working Time Regulations 1998, which cap average working hours at 48 per week (unless the employee has opted out). TOIL arrangements should be documented clearly.
For more on managing leave and time off, see our leave management software and UK annual leave entitlement guide.
TimeTally combines timesheet tracking with leave management, giving you the complete picture. Track overtime hours alongside annual leave and use custom leave types to manage TOIL balances.
Employees log hours worked each day. See overtime at a glance and export to Xero, QuickBooks, or CSV for payroll.
Create unlimited custom leave types — including TOIL — with their own balances, approval workflows, and accrual rules.
See who's off and when across your whole team. Spot scheduling conflicts and make informed decisions about cover.
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Common questions about Time Off In Lieu for UK employers.
Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) is compensatory time off given to employees in exchange for overtime worked. Instead of receiving overtime pay, the employee takes equivalent time off at a later date. The term "in lieu" means "instead of" — so TOIL is time off instead of extra pay.
No, there is no UK law that gives employees the right to TOIL. It is a contractual arrangement between employer and employee. However, the Working Time Regulations 1998 still apply — average weekly working hours must not exceed 48 hours unless the employee has opted out in writing.
The most common TOIL rate is 1:1 (hour for hour), meaning one hour of overtime earns one hour of time off. Some employers offer enhanced rates such as 1.5:1 (time and a half) for weekends or 2:1 (double time) for bank holidays. The rate should be stated clearly in the employment contract or TOIL policy.
This depends on company policy. Many employers set a deadline by which TOIL must be taken (e.g. within 3 months of being accrued) and a cap on how much can be banked at any time. Without clear rules, TOIL balances can grow unchecked and become difficult to manage.
If TOIL is not part of the employment contract, an employer can choose not to offer it. If it is contractual, the employer must honour it but can set reasonable rules about when TOIL can be taken, subject to business needs. Clear policies help avoid disputes.
The simplest way to track TOIL is with leave management software like TimeTally. Create a custom leave type called "TOIL" with its own balance, and employees can request TOIL the same way they request annual leave. Their TOIL balance updates automatically when requests are approved.
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