
What you should know
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.)
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.
Work out the problem
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.
If you want more on stat holidays, we have in-depth info on this topic. See working and statutory holidays.
Who can help
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
Consider getting legal advice if you're struggling to resolve the issue on your own.

Lawyer Referral Service

Access Pro Bono's Free Legal Advice
Related
On Dial-A-Law
Dial-A-Law has more information on Getting paid in the section on Work.