The Myth: "Part-time workers do not get stat holiday pay"
One of the most persistent misconceptions across Canadian workplaces is that part-time or hourly staff are not entitled to paid statutory holidays. In reality, under almost all Canadian provincial labour acts (including Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba), part-time employees are legally entitled to statutory holiday pay starting from their first day of work.
How Part-Time Stat Pay is Calculated
Because part-time employees work variable schedules, provincial labour standards prorate holiday pay based on recent earnings:
- Ontario (ESA 2000): Total regular wages earned in the 4 work weeks prior + vacation pay divided by 20. If a part-time student works 15 hours a week at $17.50/hour ($1,050 over 4 weeks), their stat holiday pay is $1,050 ÷ 20 = $52.50.
- British Columbia (RSBC 1996): Part-time employees must meet two tests: employed for at least 30 calendar days AND worked at least 15 of the 30 calendar days before the holiday. If they worked only 10 days, they receive $0.00 stat pay unless their contract provides greater benefit.
- Alberta (ESC): Part-time workers must meet the "5 of the 9 rule." If the holiday falls on a day they regularly work, they receive an average daily wage (5% of 4-week wages).
What If a Part-Time Employee Works on the Holiday?
If scheduled to work on the statutory holiday, part-time employees in Ontario, BC, and under the Canada Labour Code are entitled to 1.5× their regular hourly wage for all hours worked on the shift, in addition to their statutory holiday base pay.