
What you should know
Your rights around stat holidays depend on two factors
There are two main factors that affect your rights around statutory holidays:
- whether you’re covered by BC’s Employment Standards Act (the main provincial law that protects workers)
- your employment contract
A BC law, the Employment Standards Act, sets out rules for statutory holidays that employers must follow. This law applies to “employees” — which covers most but not all workers in the province.
Need help figuring out if employment standards law applies to you? We offer guidance. See our information on who’s covered.
A second factor that comes into play is your employment contract. It may spell out your rights around stat holidays.
(Note there’s always an employment contract between a worker and an employer, even if nothing is in writing.)
You may be entitled to statutory holiday pay
On a stat holiday, workers who are covered by employment standards law are entitled to either:
- the day off with pay, or
- extra pay for working on the holiday.
To be eligible for stat holiday pay, you must:
- have been employed for at least 30 calendar days before the holiday, and
- have worked or earned wages for 15 of the 30 days before the holiday.
If you work on a statutory holiday
If you’re covered by BC’s employment standards law and you work a stat holiday, you’re entitled to extra pay. You get:
- an average day’s pay, in addition to your regular daily wage, plus
- one and a half times your regular wage for any time worked beyond eight hours (up to 12 hours), plus
- double your regular wage for any time worked over 12 hours.
Work out the problem
More on each step
Step 1. Discuss the situation with your employer
Try raising the issue with your employer first. Bring any paperwork that supports your position (for example, your pay stub for the period leading up to the holiday in question).
Approaching your boss can be stressful. We offer tips. See tips for talking with your employer.
Step 2. Write your employer a letter
If talking it over in person doesn’t solve the problem, try writing a letter. Let them know that you understand your rights, and explain your concerns in detail.
We have tips on writing to your employer. See our five tips for writing to your employer.
Step 3. Make a complaint
If you can’t work out a solution with your employer, you can make a formal complaint. Workers covered by employment standards law can file a complaint with the Employment Standards Branch.
We explain how to bring your complaint to the branch. See our guidance on making an employment standards complaint.
Go deeper
If you want more on stat holidays, we have in-depth info on this topic. See working and statutory holidays.
Who can help
Helpful agencies
These agencies may be able to help if you don’t think you’ve been treated fairly regarding a stat holiday.

Employment Standards Branch

Employment and Social Development Canada
Legal advice
Consider getting legal advice if you're struggling to resolve the issue on your own.

Lawyer Referral Service

Access Pro Bono Clinics
Related
On Dial-A-Law
Dial-A-Law has more information on Getting paid in the section on Work.