Payroll and HR Guide
Statutory Pay in BC: Eligibility & Calculation (2025)
Statutory holidays aren’t just long weekends. In British Columbia, the Employment Standards Act (B.C.) sets clear rules for statutory pay in BC—who qualifies, how it’s calculated, and what happens if you work on the holiday. This guide gives employers and employees a practical, example-driven overview with a quick calculator and FAQs.
Who Qualifies for Statutory Pay in BC?
You qualify if you:
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have been employed for at least 30 calendar days before the holiday; and
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worked or earned wages on at least 15 of the 30 days immediately before the holiday.
AT A GLANCE
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✓Eligibility: Employed 30+ days with the employer and worked/earned wages on 15 of the 30 days before the holiday.
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✓Holiday OFF (qualified): Paid average day’s pay = total wages in last 30 days (incl. vacation, excl. overtime) ÷ days worked.
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✓Worked on the holiday (qualified): 1.5× regular wage for first 12 hours, 2× after 12 hours + your average day’s pay.
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✓B.C. minimum wage (2025): $17.85/hour (used in examples; your stat pay is based on your own rate).
Notes:
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Applies to full-time and part-time employees.
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Paid vacation/leave days count as days worked.
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Overtime is excluded from stat-pay calculations.
Understanding Statutory Holiday Pay in B.C.
Statutory holiday pay in British Columbia is based on your recent earnings and how many days you worked leading up to the holiday. Under the Employment Standards Act, eligible employees must be fairly compensated whether they take the statutory holiday off or work the shift.
If you qualify and do not work the holiday, you receive pay for a day off based on your average earnings.
If you do work the holiday and qualify, you are entitled to premium pay for the hours worked — and in many cases, a paid day off as well.
👇 The next section shows exactly how the calculation works, with clear formulas and examples.
Why Use This Calculator (Real-World Help)
This calculator makes it easy to confirm statutory pay amounts before issuing payroll
or reviewing pay stubs. It reflects current B.C. Employment Standards Act rules, so
you can trust the estimate as a practical reference.
✔ Prevent payroll miscalculations
✔ Reduce compliance risks for employers
✔ Increase payment transparency for employees
✔ Helpful for part-time and variable-hour staff
When It’s Important to Double-Check Stat Pay
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Irregular work schedules
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New employees before their first stat holiday
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Stat holidays during vacation or leave
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Holiday falls on a typical non-working day
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Employees work premium hours on the holiday
Mistakes often happen when hours or wages fluctuate — this calculator helps
you confirm the correct amount quickly.
Need Help With Payroll Setup?
Cloud Accounting & Tax Services Inc. | CLaTAX supports B.C. employers with:
✔ Payroll + CRA remittances
✔ Stat holiday & overtime compliance
✔ QuickBooks payroll setup and guidance
🚩 Statutory Holidays Recognized in B.C. (2026)
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To qualify for statutory holiday pay, the holiday must be one of the official statutory holidays recognized under the Employment Standards Act (B.C.). Here is the current list for 2026: New Year’s Day — January 1, 2026 Family Day (B.C.) — February 9, 2026 Good Friday — April 3, 2026 Victoria Day — May 18, 2026 Canada Day — July 1, 2026 British Columbia Day — August 3, 2026 Labour Day — September 7, 2026 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation — September 30, 2026 Thanksgiving Day — October 12, 2026 Remembrance Day — November 11, 2026 Christmas Day — December 25, 2026 Important: Employers may offer additional paid holidays (e.g., Easter Monday or Boxing Day), but these are not statutory holidays for all workers in B.C