Hire vs Overtime - the math behind the decision.

This compares the fully loaded cost of a new hire against paying overtime for the same output. Overtime looks cheaper until you add fatigue, error, and burnout. Enter your numbers to see the real break-even.

OT under 10 hrs/wk is fine. Over 20 hrs/wk for sustained periods, you must hire (Stanford research: productivity collapses). The middle zone needs real numbers - this calculator gives them.

Current OT situation

OT hours / week (total)

OT hourly rate ($)

Expected duration of high demand (months)

% probability demand persists

Cost of a new hire

Fully loaded annual cost ($)

Weeks to full productivity

Productivity during training (%)

Recruiting cost ($)

Cost to terminate if demand drops ($)

When the answer is not obvious from the OT line on the P&L

SimpleGrid models hire-vs-OT against actual demand history, not gut feel.

OT under 10 hrs/week sustained: keep OT. Over 20 hrs/week sustained: hire regardless of duration (Stanford research: productivity collapses above 20 hrs/wk OT). The middle zone needs real numbers.

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Hire vs Overtime - the math behind the decision.

Current OT situation

Cost of a new hire

SimpleGrid models hire-vs-OT against actual demand history, not gut feel.

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