Labour hour rate

This method is an improvement on the percentage of direct
wage basis, as it fully recognises the significance of the element of time in the incurring
and absorption of manufacturing overhead expenses. This method is admirably suited to
operations which do not involve any large use of machinery. To calculate labour hour rate,
the amount of factory overheads is divided by the total number of direct labour hours.Suppose factory overheads are estimated at Rs. 90,000 and labour hours at 1,50,000.
The overhead absorption rate will be Re. 0.60. If 795 direct labour hours are spent on a
job, Rs. 477 will be absorbed as overhead. It can be calculated for each category of
workers.