TOIL

It is chiefly a UK and Australian workplace term. A bartender who stays two hours after close might later take those two hours off, rather than receiving overtime pay for them. Whether that swap is available, how it accrues, and when it must be used are questions of contract, policy, or collective agreement.

Key takeaways

• Time instead of pay: TOIL swaps extra hours already worked for paid time off rather than overtime pay.
• UK and Australian term: Chiefly used in those markets; the US equivalent concept is comp time, which has strict FLSA limits for private employers.
• Not statutory leave: TOIL is a contract or policy arrangement — not a named statutory leave type in the UK or Australia.
• Policy-dependent rules: Accrual rates, expiry windows, and whether TOIL is offered at all depend on the employer’s agreement or handbook.

Common questions

What is TOIL?

TOIL, short for time off in lieu, is paid time off given instead of extra pay for extra hours already worked. In the UK it is a contract or policy arrangement, not a named statutory leave type.

How does TOIL differ from overtime pay?

Overtime pay adds a cash premium for extra hours worked. TOIL lets the worker take equivalent paid time off later instead of receiving that cash. Whether TOIL is available, how it accrues, and when it must be used are set by contract, policy, or collective agreement — not by statute alone.