How to Calculate Sick Days in Ontario

How Sick Days Work in Ontario

In Ontario, employers are required to provide paid sick days to their employees. The number of sick days you're entitled to depends on your employment status and the size of your employer.

Sick Day Entitlements

Here's how many sick days you're entitled to based on your employment status:

When Sick Days Accrue

Sick days typically accrue on a monthly basis. For full-time employees, this means you earn about 0.58 sick days per month (7 days ÷ 12 months). Part-time employees earn a proportionate amount based on their hours worked.

Calculating Your Sick Days

To calculate your available sick days, you'll need to know your employment status, hours worked, and how long you've been employed. Here's a step-by-step approach:

1. Determine your employment status (full-time or part-time)
2. Find out how many hours you work per week
3. Calculate how many months you've worked
4. Use the appropriate formula to determine your available sick days

Example Calculation

Let's say you're a full-time employee who has worked 24 months. Here's how to calculate your available sick days:

This means you have 14 sick days available to use.

Part-Time Example

For a part-time employee working 20 hours per week who has worked 18 months:

This employee would have approximately 9.8 sick days available.

Tracking Your Sick Days

It's important to keep track of your sick days to ensure you don't exceed your entitlement. Here are some tips for tracking your sick days:

• Keep a record of your sick days in a calendar or spreadsheet
• Note the dates you take sick days
• Track any partial days you use
• Review your sick day balance annually

When to Use Sick Days

You can use sick days for any reason that prevents you from working, including:

• Medical appointments
• Illness or injury
• Care of a family member who is sick or injured
• Vaccinations or medical procedures

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When calculating and using sick days, there are several common mistakes to watch out for:

1. Assuming you have the full 7 days if you're part-time
2. Not accounting for partial days when calculating your balance
3. Using sick days for non-work-related reasons
4. Not keeping track of your sick day usage

What to Do If You Exceed Your Sick Days

If you've used more sick days than you're entitled to, you may be required to repay the difference. Your employer should provide you with a written notice of your sick day balance.