BC Statutory Holiday Pay Calculator

How statutory holiday pay works in BC

In British Columbia, eligible employees are entitled to statutory holiday pay under Part 5 of the Employment Standards Act. An employee's statutory holiday pay equals an average day's pay, whether the employee has the day off or works on the holiday. If an eligible employee works on the statutory holiday, they are entitled to an average day's pay plus premium pay (time-and-a-half for the first 12 hours, and double-time for hours over 12).

If a statutory holiday falls on an employee's regular day off, an eligible employee must still be paid statutory holiday pay (an average day's pay).

Who qualifies for statutory holiday pay in BC?

Under section 44 of the BC Employment Standards Act, an employee must satisfy two basic criteria to qualify for statutory holiday pay:

• 1. Employment duration:Must have been employed for at least 30 calendar days before the statutory holiday.
• 2. Days worked:Must have worked or earned wages on at least 15 of the 30 calendar days immediately preceding the statutory holiday, OR have worked under a qualifying averaging agreement at any time in that 30-day period.

Unlike in some other Canadian jurisdictions, BC does not use a simple "day before and day after" rule. Both full-time and part-time employees can qualify as long as they meet the 30-day and 15-day standards.

How is average day's pay calculated?

Under section 45 of the Act, an average day's pay is calculated using the official formula:

What happens if I work on a statutory holiday?

Under section 46 of the Act, if an eligible employee works on a statutory holiday, they receive premium pay for their working hours plus their average day's pay:

• First 12 hours: Paid at 1.5× the employee's regular hourly wage (time-and-a-half).
• Hours over 12: Paid at 2.0× the employee's regular hourly wage (double-time).
• Plus: An average day's pay as calculated under section 45.

If an employee does not qualify for statutory holiday pay, they are paid their regular wage for the hours worked on the statutory holiday, without the 1.5×/2.0× premium and without the average day's pay.

Official Statutory Holidays in British Columbia

B.C. has 11 statutory holidays under the Employment Standards Act. Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, and Boxing Day are not statutory holidays under BC provincial employment standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is statutory holiday pay calculated in BC?

Under section 45 of BC's Employment Standards Act, statutory holiday pay equals an average day's pay. This is calculated by taking total eligible wages earned in the 30 calendar days before the holiday and dividing by the number of days worked or earned wages in that 30-day period. Overtime wages are not included.

Who qualifies for statutory holiday pay in BC?

Under section 44 of the Employment Standards Act, an employee qualifies if they have been employed for at least 30 calendar days before the holiday AND worked or earned wages on at least 15 of the 30 calendar days preceding the holiday (or worked under a qualifying averaging agreement).

Do I need to work 15 days before a statutory holiday?

Generally yes. In BC, you must have worked or earned wages (including paid vacation, paid sick days, or other paid stats) on at least 15 of the 30 calendar days before the statutory holiday, unless you worked under a qualifying averaging agreement. Unlike some provinces, BC does not use the 'day before and day after' rule.

What happens if I work on a statutory holiday in BC?

If you qualify for statutory holiday pay and work on the holiday, you receive time-and-a-half (1.5×) for the first 12 hours worked, double-time (2.0×) for hours worked over 12, PLUS an average day's pay. If you do not qualify, you receive your regular wage for the hours worked.

Do I get time-and-a-half on a statutory holiday?

Qualified employees who work on a statutory holiday in BC receive 1.5× their regular hourly wage for the first 12 hours worked, and 2.0× for any hours over 12, in addition to an average day's pay. If you do not qualify, you receive regular pay.

What happens after 12 hours of work on a statutory holiday?

Under BC Employment Standards Act section 46, qualified employees working more than 12 hours on a statutory holiday receive double time (2.0× their regular wage) for every hour worked beyond 12 hours, in addition to time-and-a-half for the first 12 hours and an average day's pay.

How is average day's pay calculated?

Divide total eligible wages earned in the 30 calendar days before the holiday by the number of days worked or earned wages in that same period. Eligible wages include regular pay, salary, commissions, statutory holiday pay, paid vacation, and paid sick days. Overtime wages are excluded.

Does overtime count toward average day's pay?

No. Under official BC Employment Standards guidance, overtime wages are explicitly excluded from the 30-day total wages used to calculate average day's pay. Only enter regular wages, commissions, paid vacation, and paid sick days.

Does vacation pay count toward statutory holiday pay?

Yes. Paid vacation days taken during the 30 calendar days before the statutory holiday are counted as days wages were earned, and the vacation pay received for those days is included in the 30-day eligible wages.

Do part-time employees qualify for statutory holiday pay?

Yes, part-time employees who meet the 30-calendar-day employment requirement and have worked or earned wages on at least 15 of the 30 calendar days before the holiday qualify. Their average day's pay will naturally reflect their part-time earnings.

Official Sources