【2025】Avoid common mistakes: How to calculate basic working hours to improve productivity?

【News Special Report】As the labor market and working hours continue to improve in 2025, more and more companies and employees are beginning to pay attention to "Basic working hours"The correct calculation of wages, transparency of salary structures, and how to improve overall productivity through correct human resource management. This newspaper has compiled the latest standards, common misunderstandings, expert advice and practical lists to help all sectors accurately understand the new working hour system in 2025 and effectively avoid common errors in working hour calculation.

2025 Update: Key Points on Basic Working Hours and Basic Wage Regulations

What are “basic working hours” and “basic wages”?

Basic working hours, generally refers to the normal working hours that ordinary workers should complete per week. Its calculation relationship directly affects personal salary, overtime pay, vacation and other rights. according to Labor Standards LawThe current normal weekly working hours are40 hours, not more than 8 hours a day.

Basic salaryIt is the minimum wage that employers must pay to workers during normal working hours, excluding overtime, vacation or special bonuses. The following is the latest data published in 2025:

Important reminder: Regardless of whether the employment is monthly salary or hourly wage, employers may not pay wages lower than this standard.

Common mistakes and overlooked details in basic working time calculation

Mistake 1: Failure to calculate statutory working hours and overtime correctly

Many companies mistakenly add overtime working hours or rest day working hours directly to basic working hours, resulting in inaccurate calculation of workers' wages and affecting their legal rights and interests.Correct approachNormal working hours (40 hours/week) and overtime hours should be clearly separated in statistics.

Mistake 2: Allowances, attendance bonuses, etc. are mistakenly included in the basic salary

Some managers consider attendance bonuses and allowances as part of "fixed salary" to meet minimum wage standards.actuallyOnly allowances paid on a fixed monthly basis (such as transportation allowances) can be included in the minimum wage, but attendance bonuses are conditional payments and cannot be included.

Error 3: Not using the correct number of days to calculate partial monthly wages

If an employee does not start work at the beginning of the month or leaves midway through a job, their wages must be correctly calculated based on the "30-day system" or the actual calendar system, otherwise it may easily lead to labor disputes.

Comparison table of calculation methods for partial monthly wages

Correct calculation formula for working hours and practical checklist

Main formula for basic working hours calculation

• Weekly working hours = Daily working hours × Weekly working days
  • Example: 8 hours x 5 days = 40 hours
• Overtime hours = Actual working hours - Basic working hours
  • The overtime pay shall be 1.33 times (first 2 hours) or 1.66 times (extended hours)

Basic salary should include items

Useful Time Management Checklist

• Daily working hours record form
• Weekly working hours settlement, indicating the categories of normal/overtime/compensatory leave, etc.
• Check the salary details to confirm whether they reflect the working hours settlement results
• Confirm whether insurance deductions are only the portion that employees should bear

The relationship between basic working hours and improved productivity

Why does calculating working hours correctly increase productivity?

Clearly recording and standardizing working hours can effectively improve team efficiency and labor-management trust:

• Avoid "hidden overtime" that causes employee fatigue and affects output.
• Create a transparent and fair workplace atmosphere and enhance employees' sense of engagement and cohesion.
• Assist enterprises to analyze production bottlenecks and plan flexible scheduling or automation improvements based on working time data.

Implementation of working hours calculation and effective supervision of production process

Win-win situation for labor and capital: How should enterprises and employees cooperate with the new system?

Employer side

• Self-evaluation of current working hours calculation rules, whether it is consistent with the new regulations
• Establish a transparent working time reporting process, and educate supervisors and HR on the correct calculation of standards
• Regularly disclose working hours and salary information to avoid disputes

Employee side

• Automatically record your daily working hours, especially the flexible/remote mode
• Check your pay slips regularly and raise any questions immediately
• Understand the working hours calculation rules and learn to protect your rights

Productivity expert advice: FAQs explained at once Q&A

Q1: Does handling official business after get off work count as working hours?

A: In theory, as long as the work is directed by the employer and assigned, it should be included in the working hours. It is recommended that employees proactively inform their supervisors and record the content of this period.

Q2: How are monthly leave hours calculated?

A: According to the law, leave is deemed as working hours and wages should be paid normally. The wages shall not be lower than the base wage due to leave.

Q3: When working multiple jobs or part-time, how should basic working hours be calculated?

A: Each employer calculates independently, and each employer is responsible for reviewing basic working hours and wages.

Practical examples and common mistakes

In the rapidly changing workplace of 2025,Basic working hoursThe accurate calculation and correct understanding of "has become the key for enterprises and employees to jointly improve productivity and work safely. It is recommended that companies improve their working hour calculation systems and that employees enhance their awareness of their rights and interests, so as to work together to create a more efficient and fairer workplace environment.