Enter your current hourly rate you are paid by your employer and the total number of hours worked outside of normal work into the unpaid work calculator. The calculator will display the total equivalent value of the work you perform outside of your normal job.
Unpaid Work Formula
The following equation can be used to calculate your equivalent value of unpaid work performed outside your job.
UW = UH * W
- Where UW is your unpaid work value
- UH is your total unpaid hours worked
- W is your normal wage rate $/hr
Unpaid work is a term used to describe any non-leisure activities performed outside of your normal job. In short, people need to work many hours outside of work to live normal lives. This includes things like cleaning, cooking, and taking care of kids.
The point of calculating how much time you spend doing other work is to determine whether it makes sense to outsource some of it. For example, if you can work an extra 4 hours a week at your current job, and are able to reduce your work at home by 4 hours by outsourcing it for half your pay rate, then you actually have a net gain of 2 hours of wages through what you had been doing.
It also helps identify areas of your life where you are spending too much time. For example, if you spend 2 hours a day cooking, but can reduce that to 4 hours in one day of meal prep for the week, you can many hours you could either enjoy or earn money for.
FAQ
What is considered unpaid work?
Unpaid work includes any non-leisure activities performed outside of your normal paid job. This can encompass household chores, caregiving, cooking, cleaning, and other tasks necessary for daily living and maintaining a household.
Why is it important to calculate the value of unpaid work?
Calculating the value of unpaid work can help you understand the true extent of your labor and time commitment outside of paid employment. It can also inform decisions about outsourcing certain tasks to improve work-life balance and financial well-being.
How can outsourcing reduce the amount of unpaid work?
Outsourcing tasks such as cleaning, cooking, or caregiving can reduce the number of hours spent on unpaid work. By comparing the cost of outsourcing to your wage rate, you can determine if it makes financial sense to hire help, potentially freeing up time for paid work or leisure.
Can calculating unpaid work help improve time management?
Yes, by identifying how much time you spend on unpaid tasks, you can explore ways to optimize or reduce this time. Strategies like meal prepping to reduce daily cooking time or hiring help for household chores can reallocate hours towards more productive or enjoyable activities.
