This article is about Justworks EOR (Employer of Record). What product am I using?
As an employee working in Canada through Justworks, you’re covered by public and private programs that protect your health, income, and overall wellbeing.
These programs ensure you can access healthcare, take protected time off when you’re ill or on holiday, and receive income support when caring for your family.
This series of guides explains your Canadian benefits and leave entitlements based on official sources from Canada.ca and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
What You’ll Find in This Series:
- Health, Benefits, and Pension Coverage — Learn about Canada’s public healthcare system, Justworks’ supplemental Sun Life coverage, and how contributions to Employment Insurance (EI) and the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) support you.
- Leave and Sick Pay — Understand your rights to vacation leave, paid holidays, and sick pay, plus how EI Sickness Benefits can help when you’re unable to work.
- Family and Parental Leave — Explore your entitlements to maternity, parental, and caregiving leave, and learn how to apply for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits.
Working in Canada with Justworks: Leave and Sick Pay
As an employee working in Canada through Justworks, you’re entitled to paid vacation, public holidays, and protected time off when you’re sick or recovering from an illness.
This guide explains your rights to vacation and sick leave, how these entitlements are calculated, and what support is available through Employment Insurance (EI) if you can’t work for an extended period.
All information here is based on official Canadian government resources, including Canada.ca and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
Vacation Leave
In Canada, vacation entitlements are determined by federal or provincial employment standards.
Most employees earn paid vacation time each year, which increases based on years of service.
Standard Vacation Entitlements:
- After 1 year of service: 2 weeks of paid vacation (equal to 4% of annual earnings)
- After 5 consecutive years of service: 3 weeks of paid vacation (equal to 6% of annual earnings)
Vacation pay is typically paid out when you take your leave or added to each paycheque as a percentage of your earnings.
Tip: Your vacation entitlement and pay may differ slightly depending on your province. For example, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and Yukon offer additional leave after longer service.
You can find provincial rules on vacation at:
- Ontario – Vacation and Vacation Pay
- British Columbia – Annual Vacation
- Alberta – Vacation Pay and Time Off
Public Holidays
Canada recognizes both federal and provincial public holidays.
Employees are generally entitled to a paid day off for statutory holidays or premium pay if required to work.
Federal Public Holidays
The 10 federally recognized holidays include:
- New Year’s Day
- Good Friday
- Victoria Day
- Canada Day
- Labour Day
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
- Thanksgiving Day
- Remembrance Day
- Christmas Day
- Boxing Day
Each province and territory may also have its own statutory holidays — for example, Family Day (Ontario, BC, Alberta), Civic Holiday (Ontario), or St. Jean Baptiste Day (Quebec).
If a holiday falls on your regular workday, you’re entitled to:
- A paid day off, or
- A substitute day off if you must work, or
- Premium pay (usually 1.5x or 2x your normal rate)
Check your province’s holiday calendar for details on specific entitlements.
Sick Leave
Employees in Canada are protected when they need time off for illness or medical appointments.
Provincial Employees
If you’re covered by provincial employment law (most workers in Canada), paid sick leave rules vary by province:
- British Columbia: 5 paid sick days + 3 unpaid days per year (after 90 days of work)
- Quebec: 2 paid sick days per year (after 3 months of work)
- Ontario: 3 unpaid sick days per year (after 2 weeks of work)
If you need more time off than your employer provides, you may qualify for EI Sickness Benefits (see below).
Note: Your employer may ask for a doctor’s note if you’re off for several days.
Employment Insurance (EI) Sickness Benefits
If you can’t work because of illness, injury, or quarantine, and your employer sick pay has ended, you may be eligible for EI Sickness Benefits.
Key Details:
- Up to 26 weeks of financial support
- Paid at 55% of your average weekly earnings, up to a maximum of $668 per week (2024)
- Requires a medical certificate from a doctor or nurse practitioner confirming your inability to work
How to Apply
You can apply online through My Service Canada Account. You’ll need:
- Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Employer details and a Record of Employment (ROE)
- A medical certificate confirming your illness
Apply as soon as possible — if you wait longer than 4 weeks after your last workday, you could lose eligibility for some benefits.
Key Takeaways
- Most employees receive 2 to 3 weeks of paid vacation depending on their length of service.
- You’re entitled to paid public holidays — or premium pay if you work on those days.
- Federally regulated employees can earn up to 10 paid medical leave days per year.
- Sick leave and holiday rules can differ by province — always check your local employment standards.
- If you’re unable to work due to illness or injury, you may qualify for EI Sickness Benefits (55% of pay for up to 26 weeks).
Need Help?
For more information, visit Canada.ca – Employment and Social Development or contact international-support@justworks.com for help understanding your benefits.
Disclaimer
This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for accounting, legal or tax advice. If you have any legal or tax questions regarding this content or related issues, then you should consult with your professional legal or tax advisor.