Ontario Statutory Holiday Pay Calculator

Ontario's labor laws require employers to pay employees their regular wages for any holiday that falls on a day they would normally work. This calculator helps you determine the statutory holiday pay owed to your employees.

How to Calculate Ontario Statutory Holiday Pay

Calculating statutory holiday pay in Ontario involves several steps to ensure compliance with provincial labor laws. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Identify the Holiday

First, determine which statutory holiday is being observed. In Ontario, the recognized holidays are:

New Year's Day
Family Day (third Monday in February)
Good Friday (Friday before Easter Sunday)
Victoria Day (Monday before May 25)
Canada Day (July 1)
Civic Holiday (first Monday in August)
Labour Day (first Monday in September)
Thanksgiving (second Monday in October)
Christmas Day (December 25)
Boxing Day (December 26)

Step 2: Determine Employee's Regular Pay

Calculate the employee's regular hourly or daily wage. This is typically their standard rate of pay before any overtime or bonuses.

Step 3: Calculate Holiday Pay

Multiply the employee's regular pay by the number of hours they would normally work on that day. For full-time employees, this is typically 8 hours.

Formula: Holiday Pay = Regular Pay × Hours Worked on Holiday

Step 4: Account for Public Holidays

If the holiday falls on a day the employee is normally off (e.g., a weekend), they are entitled to the holiday pay for that day.

Step 5: Verify with the Calculator

Use our calculator to verify your calculations and ensure you're paying the correct amount.

The Formula

The basic formula for calculating Ontario statutory holiday pay is straightforward:

Holiday Pay = (Regular Hourly Rate × Standard Hours Worked) × Number of Holiday Days

Where:

Regular Hourly Rate - The employee's standard hourly wage
Standard Hours Worked - Typically 8 hours for full-time employees
Number of Holiday Days - The number of days the holiday falls on (usually 1)

Note: This formula assumes the holiday falls on a day the employee normally works. If the holiday falls on a day the employee is normally off, they are still entitled to the holiday pay for that day.

Worked Examples

Example 1: Full-time Employee

John works full-time at $18 per hour. On Victoria Day (a Monday), he would normally work 8 hours. His holiday pay is:

Holiday Pay = $18 × 8 = $144

Example 2: Part-time Employee

Sarah works part-time at $15 per hour, 4 hours per day. On Canada Day (a Monday), she would normally work 4 hours. Her holiday pay is:

Holiday Pay = $15 × 4 = $60

Example 3: Employee Normally Off on Holiday

Mike works full-time at $20 per hour. On Christmas Day (a Sunday), he is normally off. He is still entitled to holiday pay for that day:

Holiday Pay = $20 × 8 = $160

Comparison Table

Here's a comparison of holiday pay for different types of employees:

Employee Type	Hourly Rate	Hours Worked	Holiday Pay
Full-time (8 hours)	$18	8	$144
Part-time (4 hours)	$15	4	$60
Full-time (8 hours)	$20	8	$160
Part-time (3 hours)	$16	3	$48

FAQ

What holidays are considered statutory in Ontario?

In Ontario, the statutory holidays are New Year's Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.

Do employees get paid for holidays they are normally off?

Yes, employees are entitled to holiday pay even if they are normally off on the holiday. They should receive their regular pay for the day.

What if an employee works on the holiday?

If an employee works on the holiday, they are entitled to both their regular pay for the holiday and any overtime pay for the hours they worked.

Are there any exceptions to holiday pay?

There are no exceptions to holiday pay in Ontario. All employees are entitled to their regular pay for any holiday they would normally work.

What if an employee is on vacation during a holiday?

If an employee is on vacation during a holiday, they are still entitled to holiday pay. Employers cannot withhold holiday pay as vacation pay.