Abstract: A method for calculating employee compensation includes associating sets of attributes with pay categories. An employee's shifts are split into sub-shifts, responsive to work parameters. A set of attributes is determined for each sub-shift. Each set of attributes is a unique combination of attributes. Sets of attributes are associated with pay categories through a pay category mapping matrix which maps each set of attributes to one or more pay categories. The pay categories with which the set of attributes associated with a particular subshift is associated are then determined responsive to the mapping. A total compensation for an employee is then determined for a pay period by adding the amounts determined for each subshift of the pay period. A compensation qualifier can be associated with each pay category, such that determining compensation for an employee for the sub-shift responsive to the assigned pay category, is in turn responsive to the employee's base pay and the compensation qualifier.