Stat Holidays and Pay in Ontario

Updated

By

Reviewed by

Share:

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on pinterest

Determining the exact amount an employee is entitled to can be a hassle for most organizations, especially when there is a statutory holiday around the corner. It is far easier for organizations that use a payroll calculator. Stat holiday pay in Ontario is a unique pay every employer must pay to their employees during a public holiday.

Ontario recognizes nine statutory holidays throughout the year, during which employees are entitled to statutory holiday compensation, time off in lieu, or both.

Statutory Holidays in Ontario

Statutory holidays in Ontario are as follows:

  • New year’s day – January 1, 2021
  • Ontario Family Day – February 15, 2021
  • Good Friday – April 2, 2021
  • Victoria Day – April 24, 2021
  • Canada Day – July 1, 2021
  • Labour Day – September 6, 2021
  • Thanksgiving Day – October 11, 2021
  • Christmas Day – December 25, 2021
  • Boxing Day – December 26, 2021

Eligibility Requirement for Stat Pay in Ontario 

Generally, all employees are eligible for statutory holiday pay in Ontario. While most employees are entitled to public holidays, certain employees working in jobs not covered by the Employment Standards Act’s public holiday provisions (ESA) might not be eligible.

Currently, there is no minimum amount of time worked to qualify for stat pay in Ontario. However, an employee may not be eligible for statutory public pay if they fail to work without genuine reason. This is applicable if an employee fails to work on the last day before a statutory holiday or the first day after a statutory holiday.

When employees cannot work due to reasons beyond their control, they are usually considered to have “reasonable cause.” Employees must be able to show that they were absent from work for a valid reason. If they can, they are still entitled to public holidays.

Entitlement and Compensation for Statutory Holiday in Ontario

Below are the basic entitlement and compensations every eligible employee is entitled to during a statutory holiday in Ontario:

  • Rights of Employee

Every eligible employee in Ontario can skip work on all statutory holidays and be paid stat pay.

  • Compensation 

Generally, a Statutory holiday comes with pay. To calculate your stat holiday pay in Ontario, estimate your regular wages for the past four weeks before the holiday and divide by 20. 

  • Premium Pay

Premium pay applies to employees who agree to work on a statutory holiday. This agreement to work must be in a written form or electronically. Once this consent is established, compensation will be made as holiday pay plus premium pay for all hours worked on the public holiday. Note that premium pay does not allow an extra day off.

  • Substitute Holiday Pay

This is an alternative for premium pay. Once an employee agrees to work on a statutory holiday, compensations can be made as regular wages for all hours worked on a public holiday. Unlike premium pay, substitute pay allows an employee to add another day off in place of holiday pay.

  • Vacation Pay

Eligible employees for stat pay in Ontario also qualify for vacation time off.

Calculating Stat Pay in Ontario

The formula to calculate statutory pay in Ontario is – Regular income (over four weeks) before a statutory holiday ÷ hours worked.

Divide the number of hours you worked in the four weeks leading up to the holiday (including vacation pay but excluding overtime) by twenty to calculate public holiday pay. The result is the amount of stat pay you will receive on that specific day.

The four weeks leading up to the public holiday are calculated using the employer’s workweek. Your employer could use a Sunday to Saturday workweek instead of a Monday to Sunday workweek. 

Example: If you earned CA$2000.00 in the four weeks before the statutory holiday, and you worked for 20 hours, your stat pay would be = CA$100.00.

Working During a Stat Holiday in Ontario

If your employer requires you to work during a statutory holiday, you can consent to working electronically or in writing. Once you establish consent, you will either be paid:

  • Your regular wages for all hours you worked for on holiday and get substitute holiday where you will also be paid holiday pay. 

Note that regular wages do not include:

  • Overtime pay
  • Termination pay
  • Severance and premium pay
  • Termination of assignment pay – for temporary employees
  • Personal emergency leave pay
  • Domestic or sexual violence leave pay
  • Any other holiday pay

Alternatively;

  • You will receive holiday pay alongside premium pay for all hours worked on the public holiday and not get any extra day off.

Conclusion

Remembrance Day (November 11) and Civic Holidays (First Monday in August) is also considered a holiday by some organizations alongside the holidays mentioned above.

Although these dates are not official holidays in Ontario, some companies choose to offer their employees the day off. Most provincially regulated businesses continue to operate these days and are not obligated to provide holiday or stat pay. 

You Might Like

Post Comments

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Essential reads, delivered weekly

Join the Financial Literacy Train. Get the latest financial information delivered right to your inbox.

Newsletter

Deals and Offers

We’ve rounded up the Best life in Canada, with the best promotions, and the best sign-up bonuses, to help you maximize your benefits.

Helcim payments

Easy Payment Processing

Simplify payments with Helcim

Shopify

Create Your Online Store

Selling online should be easy

Questrade

Invesment Made Simple

Build your investment portfolio and save on fees.

Reviews

Post Comments

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertiser Disclosure

Canada Buzz is an advertising-supported blog. Some products and services that appear on this site are from companies from which Canadabuzz receives compensation. We may alter brand placements on our website to amplify our partners and their offers. Any time you click to our partner websites or register for a product or services through an affiliate link on our website, we may earn a commission at ZERO cost to you.

Canada Buzz is a purely informational blog. Opinions expressed on this blog are NOT endorsed by the reviewed brands. The information provided on this website does not constitute financial or professional advice. However, our team strives to bring you quality, unbiased information.

Bukola

Highlights

Avid researcher, freelance writer, and personal finance enthusiast passionate about financial education and literacy.

Latest Post

Kareena Maya

Personal Finance and Travel Rewards Expert Contributor

Highlights

Experience

Kareena Maya is a freelance writer focused on the personal finance and travel spaces. He frequently writes about credit cards, banking, student loans, insurance, travel rewards and more. His work has been featured in publications such as Forbes Advisor, Bankrate, Credit Karma, Finance Buzz, The Ascent and Student Loan Planner.

Kareena Maya is a freelance writer focused on the personal finance and travel spaces. He frequently writes about credit cards, banking, student loans, insurance, travel rewards and more. His work has been featured in publications such as Forbes Advisor, Bankrate, Credit Karma, Finance Buzz, The Ascent and Student Loan Planner.