Ontario Public Holiday Pay Calculation Example

Calculating public holiday pay in Ontario requires understanding the legal requirements and proper pay calculation methods. This guide explains how to determine the correct amount of public holiday pay for employees in Ontario.

How to Calculate Ontario Public Holiday Pay

In Ontario, public holidays are days when most businesses and government offices are closed. Employees who work on these days are entitled to additional pay under the Employment Standards Act, 2000.

Key Requirements

Public holiday pay is calculated based on the employee's regular hourly wage
Employees must be paid at least 1.5 times their regular hourly wage for each hour worked on a public holiday
Overtime pay is not required for public holiday work

Note: The calculation method may vary slightly depending on whether the employee is paid hourly or salaried. This guide focuses on hourly employees.

Formula for Public Holiday Pay

The basic formula for calculating public holiday pay is:

Public Holiday Pay = Regular Hourly Wage × Hours Worked on Holiday × 1.5

Where:

Regular Hourly Wage - The employee's normal hourly rate of pay
Hours Worked on Holiday - The number of hours the employee worked on the public holiday

For salaried employees, the calculation is typically based on the employee's daily salary divided by the number of working days in the pay period.

Worked Example

Let's look at a practical example to illustrate how to calculate public holiday pay.

Scenario

Employee name: Jane Smith
Regular hourly wage: $22.50/hour
Public holiday: Christmas Day (December 25, 2023)
Hours worked on holiday: 4 hours

Calculation

Using the formula:

Public Holiday Pay = $22.50 × 4 × 1.5

= $22.50 × 6

= $135.00

Jane Smith would receive $135.00 in additional pay for working 4 hours on Christmas Day.

Verification

To verify this calculation:

Determine the regular hourly wage ($22.50)
Multiply by the number of hours worked (4 hours)
Multiply the result by 1.5 (150% of regular pay)
Total = $135.00

FAQ

Do employees need to be paid for public holidays if they don't work?

No, employees are only entitled to public holiday pay if they actually work on a public holiday. If an employee is scheduled to work but doesn't show up, they typically don't receive public holiday pay.

Is public holiday pay different for salaried employees?

Yes, for salaried employees, public holiday pay is often calculated as a portion of their daily salary. The exact amount depends on the number of working days in the pay period and the employee's daily salary rate.

Are there any exceptions to public holiday pay requirements?

Yes, some employees may be exempt from public holiday pay requirements if they are covered by collective agreements or if they work in certain industries with specific labor laws.