{"product_id":"overtime-vs-new-hire-planner","title":"Overtime vs New Hire Planner","description":"\u003cp\u003eWeigh the cost of covering a recurring overload with overtime against the fully loaded cost of adding a person. Enter the extra hours per week and the pay rates, set the benefits load and the one-time cost to hire, and the workbook shows the cost each way per year, the break-even in weekly overtime hours, and where a steady overload starts to favor a hire.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eOne Excel workbook that weighs overtime against an added hire\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eA working model, not a blank grid. You enter the hours and the pay rates, the workbook costs both routes and finds the break-even, and it opens on a worked example so the comparison is clear before you change anything.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOvertime vs New Hire Planner.\u003c\/strong\u003e Enter the recurring extra hours per week, the current base rate and overtime multiplier, the new hire base rate and benefits load, and the one-time cost to hire and ramp. The workbook returns the overtime cost per year, the new hire loaded cost, the cheaper option, the break-even in weekly overtime hours, and a three-year view, and opens on a worked example so the logic is clear before you change the inputs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeveral scenarios, a summary, and the math in plain English.\u003c\/strong\u003e A Scenarios tab weighs several overloads at once and flags the cheaper option for each. A one-page summary carries the recommendation and the three-year saving into a budget conversation. A Benchmark tab holds sourced overtime, benefits, and cost-per-hire figures, and the Notes tab documents how each number is calculated.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThree steps from the overload to the cheaper route\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYou enter the hours and the pay rates, set the load and the cost to hire, and the workbook shows which route costs less and where it tips.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEnter the overload.\u003c\/strong\u003e Set the recurring extra hours per week, the current base rate, and the overtime multiplier, so the overtime side reflects the premium you pay on those hours.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSet the hire.\u003c\/strong\u003e Enter the new hire base rate, the benefits and burden load, and the one-time cost to hire and ramp, so the hire carries its fully loaded cost.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRead the break-even.\u003c\/strong\u003e The workbook shows the cost each way per year, the break-even in weekly overtime hours, and the three-year view, so the call is a number, not a hunch.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eA variable cost against a fixed one, costed the way it works\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eOvertime is a premium you pay only for the hours; a hire is a fixed cost you carry whether the overload is there or not. The right answer turns on the hours and the pay gap, so the workbook costs both and shows where they cross.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA break-even you can act on.\u003c\/strong\u003e The point where a hire becomes the cheaper route is stated in weekly overtime hours, so you can read it against the hours you are covering right now.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYear one is closer than the years that follow.\u003c\/strong\u003e The one-time cost to hire lands in the first year only, so the workbook shows a three-year view where a recurring overload usually favors a hire by year three.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoft costs are optional, not hidden.\u003c\/strong\u003e An overtime soft-cost uplift for fatigue, errors, and turnover is a separate input, so you can price the risk of running people hot into a close call or leave it out.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWho this planner fits and where to go if that is not you\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuilt for\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn operations or HR leader deciding whether to keep paying overtime or add a person to a team carrying steady overload.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA plant, warehouse, or shift manager weighing overtime against a hire before the next budget cycle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA finance or HR partner who wants the cost each way and the break-even on one page before the headcount conversation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIf you are looking for\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe number of people a recurring workload needs, not the overtime-versus-hire cost. The FTE Headcount Planner converts a workload into the headcount it requires.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHow many people a shift pattern needs to cover the hours, not the cost comparison. The Shift Staffing Planner sizes coverage across shifts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBefore you buy\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat format is it and can I edit it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt is one Excel workbook that also works in Google Sheets. Every input and formula is editable, and the file is yours to keep. Duplicate it to weigh a second overload side by side.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThere is a free version of this calculator. Why pay for this one?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe free tool gives a quick browser estimate for one comparison and resets when you close the tab. This workbook is the planner you keep: it costs overtime against a fully loaded hire, finds the break-even in weekly overtime hours, weighs several overloads at once on the Scenarios tab, and shows a three-year view, with sourced benchmarks to check your inputs. You set your assumptions once, reuse the file each time the question comes up, and read every formula instead of trusting a number.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow accurate is the result?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt is only as good as the wage rates, the load, and the cost to hire you enter, so treat the output as a planning estimate. The math, including the break-even and the three-year view, is correct for those inputs. Use your own payroll figures and your real cost to hire rather than the example numbers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat about overtime eligibility?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe comparison assumes the overload is covered by overtime-eligible, nonexempt staff paid the premium you set. Salaried-exempt employees above the federal weekly threshold are generally not owed overtime, so confirm who is eligible under the wage and hour rules that apply to you before you model it. The Benchmark tab notes the federal premium and threshold as a starting point.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the refund policy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDigital products are covered by a 14-day money-back guarantee. See the refund policy for the full terms.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat happens after I buy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCheckout delivers an instant download link, and a receipt with the same link arrives by email. Open the workbook in Excel or Google Sheets, enter your hours and pay rates, and read the break-even. If a file gives you trouble, email support@truestephr.com.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlanning estimates and general business information, not legal or tax advice. The result depends on the wage rates, the load, and the cost to hire you enter, so use your own figures and confirm overtime eligibility before you build a plan around the number. Last reviewed June 2026.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"TrueStep HR","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52641502724372,"sku":"TSHR-011","price":39.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1013\/9048\/3732\/files\/TSHR-011__overtime-vs-new-hire-planner-hero.jpg?v=1780979022","url":"https:\/\/shop.truestephr.com\/products\/overtime-vs-new-hire-planner","provider":"TrueStep HR","version":"1.0","type":"link"}