premium pay

Meanings

1. 1noununcountablebusiness

   Extra money paid to a worker on top of normal wages, usually for overtime, unsocial hours, or special conditions.

   Grammar: Uncountable: no plural, and use a singular verb, e.g. 'Premium pay is offered.'

   Patterns

   • premium pay for something
   • premium pay for doing something
   • be on premium pay

   Staff who work on public holidays receive premium pay.

   The union negotiated premium pay for all night-shift workers.

   She earns premium pay whenever she works more than forty hours a week.

2. 2noununcountablebusiness

   A higher rate of pay offered to attract workers to difficult or unpopular jobs.

   Grammar: Still uncountable; often used with 'offer', 'attract', or 'command'.

   Patterns

   • offer premium pay
   • attract someone with premium pay
   • command premium pay

   Remote oil rigs often offer premium pay to attract skilled engineers.

   Nurses in rural areas may get premium pay as an incentive to stay.

   The company uses premium pay to fill positions that few people want.

Common combinations

premium pay rate

The premium pay rate is double the normal hourly wage.

receive premium pay

You will receive premium pay for any hours worked after midnight.

premium pay for overtime

Premium pay for overtime is standard in most factories.

entitled to premium pay

Part-time staff are not entitled to premium pay.

Synonyms and how they differ

overtime pay

Overtime pay is specifically for hours beyond the normal working week, while premium pay can also cover night shifts or holiday work.

shift differential

Shift differential is a US term for extra pay for working less desirable hours; premium pay is broader and more general.

bonus

A bonus is a one-off extra payment, often for good performance, whereas premium pay is a regular higher rate for certain conditions.

Word family

premium noun

An extra amount added to a normal price or wage.

pay noun

Money received for work.

Commonly confused: premium pay or premium?

Practice

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