How Do I Calculate Public Holiday Pay in Ontario

Calculating public holiday pay in Ontario requires understanding the specific regulations and your employment status. This guide explains the process step-by-step, including eligibility, calculation methods, and payment options.

Who is Eligible for Public Holiday Pay in Ontario?

Public holiday pay in Ontario is governed by the Ontario Employment Standards Act, which mandates that certain employees receive paid time off for designated public holidays. The key groups eligible for public holiday pay include:

Full-time employees - Typically defined as those working at least 30 hours per week
Part-time employees - Those working at least 20 hours per week
Seasonal employees - Those employed during holiday periods
Employees with fixed schedules - Those whose work schedules include the holiday

Employees who are exempt from minimum wage requirements (such as professional athletes or certain managerial positions) may not be entitled to public holiday pay unless specifically covered by their employment contract.

How to Calculate Public Holiday Pay

The calculation of public holiday pay depends on your employment status and the specific holiday. The general formula is:

Public Holiday Pay = (Regular Hourly Rate × 1.5) × Number of Hours Worked on Holiday

This calculation applies to both full-time and part-time employees. Here's a breakdown of the steps:

Determine your regular hourly rate (total wages divided by total hours worked in the pay period)
Multiply your hourly rate by 1.5 to get the holiday pay rate
Multiply the holiday pay rate by the number of hours you worked on the public holiday

For employees who work a fixed schedule that includes the holiday, the calculation is based on the hours they would normally work on that day.

Public Holiday Pay Calculation Example
Employee Type	Regular Hourly Rate	Holiday Pay Rate	Hours Worked	Total Holiday Pay
Full-time	$20.00	$30.00	8	$240.00
Part-time	$15.00	$22.50	5	$112.50

Payment Methods for Public Holiday Pay

Public holiday pay must be paid to employees in one of the following ways:

Cash payment - Direct payment to the employee
Cheque - Written payment to the employee
Direct deposit - Electronic transfer to the employee's bank account
Voucher - Payment in the form of a gift card or similar

Employers must provide written notice of the public holiday pay to employees at least 14 days before the holiday. This notice should include the amount of pay and the payment method.

Worked Examples

Let's look at two practical examples to illustrate how public holiday pay is calculated in Ontario.

Example 1: Full-time Employee

Jane works full-time at a retail store with a regular hourly rate of $22.00. On Victoria Day (a public holiday), she works her normal 8-hour shift.

Holiday Pay = ($22.00 × 1.5) × 8 = $33.00 × 8 = $264.00

Jane should receive $264.00 in public holiday pay for Victoria Day.

Example 2: Part-time Employee

Mark is a part-time delivery driver with a regular hourly rate of $18.50. On Canada Day (a public holiday), he works 6 hours.

Holiday Pay = ($18.50 × 1.5) × 6 = $27.75 × 6 = $166.50

Mark should receive $166.50 in public holiday pay for Canada Day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I get paid for public holidays if I'm on vacation?: No, public holiday pay is not required if you are on approved vacation time. However, if you are on unpaid leave, you may still be entitled to public holiday pay.
What if I work a different shift on a public holiday?: If you work a different shift on a public holiday, you should be paid at your regular hourly rate for those hours, not the holiday premium rate.
Are there any exceptions to public holiday pay?: Yes, certain employees may be exempt from public holiday pay, including some professional athletes, certain managerial positions, and employees covered by collective agreements that provide different pay terms.
Do I get paid for public holidays if I'm a contractor?: Contractors are generally not entitled to public holiday pay unless their contract specifically provides for it. You should check your contract terms for details.
What if I'm scheduled to work but the business is closed?: If you are scheduled to work on a public holiday but the business is closed, you are not entitled to public holiday pay unless your employment contract provides otherwise.