Premium pay is 1.5 times your regular rate for all hours worked on a public holiday. It is paid in addition to public holiday pay if the employee chose that option.

Ontario Public Holiday Pay Calculator 2025

Calculate your public holiday pay, premium pay, and substitute holiday entitlements under the Employment Standards Act.

ESA 2000 · ÷ 20 Formula · Premium Pay 1.5×

💡 Quick Examples — From the ESA Guide▶

Example 1 — Iryna (typical case):
Works 5 days/week, earns $120/day. Not on vacation.
→ Regular wages = $120 × 5 × 4 = $2,400
→ Vacation pay payable = $0
→ Public holiday pay = ($2,400 + $0) ÷ 20 = $120.00

Example 2 — Tegan (part-time, vacation pay on each cheque):
Works 3 days/week, earns $120/day, 4% vacation pay accrued.
→ Regular wages = $120 × 3 × 4 = $1,440
→ Vacation pay = $1,440 × 4% = $57.60
→ Public holiday pay = ($1,440 + $57.60) ÷ 20 = $74.88

Example 3 — John-Duncan (worked on holiday, chose PH pay + premium):
8 hrs/day at $20/hr, worked 8 hrs on the holiday.
→ Public holiday pay = $160
→ Premium pay = 8 hrs × ($20 × 1.5) = $240
→ Total = $400.00

📅 Public Holiday & Work Week

Year

Public Holiday

Employer's Work Week Starts On

📅 Holiday Date: — · 4-week period: —

✅ Qualification — Last and First Rule

You qualify for public holiday pay unless you fail to work your last scheduled day before the holiday or your first scheduled day after, without reasonable cause.

I worked my last regularly scheduled day before the holiday

I had reasonable cause for not working

I worked my first regularly scheduled day after the holiday

I had reasonable cause for not working

💰 Regular Wages (4 Weeks Before Holiday)

Regular Wages Earned in the 4 Work Weeks ($)

🏖️ Vacation Pay Payable

Paid before vacationInclude only if on vacation during the 4-week period Paid on every pay chequeInclude 4% (or 6%) of wages Lump sum on a specific dateInclude only if payment date falls in the 4-week period

I was on vacation during the 4-week period

Vacation Pay Rate

Date the Lump Sum Was Paid

Lump Sum Amount ($)

🛠️ Working on the Public Holiday

I worked on the public holiday

Hours Worked on the Holiday

Regular Hourly Rate ($)

Option Chosen When Agreeing to Work

Public Holiday Pay + Premium PayGet PH pay + 1.5× for hours worked — no substitute day Regular Wages + Substitute DayGet regular wages for hours worked + a substitute day off with PH pay

🏨 Special Industry

I work in a special industry

Industry Type

I was required to work (vs. agreed to work)

🚪 Employment Status

My employment ended before I took my substitute holiday

PUBLIC HOLIDAY PAY CALCULATED

Public Holiday Canada Day

Holiday Date —

4-Week Period —

Regular Wages in 4 Weeks $2,400.00

Vacation Pay Payable $0.00

Total Wages + Vacation Pay $2,400.00

÷ 20 Divisor ÷ 20

      Public Holiday Pay
      $120.00
    

Hours Worked on Holiday 0

Premium Pay (1.5× Regular Rate) $0.00

Substitute Holiday —

❌ Not Qualified — Last and First Rule: You did not work your last or first regularly scheduled day and did not have reasonable cause. You are not entitled to public holiday pay for this holiday.

⚠️ Premium Pay Only: Because you failed to work your agreed hours on the holiday without reasonable cause, you are entitled only to premium pay for the hours you actually worked — no public holiday pay or substitute day.

ℹ️ Special Industry Rules Apply: Your employer chooses between (a) regular rate + substitute day, or (b) public holiday pay + premium pay.

📅 Substitute Holiday Deadline: Your substitute holiday must be scheduled within 3 months of the public holiday, or up to 12 months with your written agreement.

💵 Employment Ended: Because your employment ended before you took your substitute holiday, your employer must pay your public holiday pay with your final wages.

📋 Payment Timing: Public holiday pay must be paid before or on the pay day for the pay period in which the holiday falls.

🧮 Calculation Walkthrough — See your numbers plugged in▶

Step 1 — Regular Wages Earned (4 Weeks):

—

Step 2 — Vacation Pay Payable:

—

Step 3 — Total ÷ 20 = Public Holiday Pay:

—

Step 4 — Premium Pay (if worked):

—

Step 5 — Total Entitlement:

—

📅 Ontario's Nine Public Holidays

Holiday	Date Rule	2025 Date

⚠️ Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimate for informational purposes only. Actual public holiday pay entitlements are governed by the Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000 and any applicable employment contract or collective agreement (which may provide greater benefits). If you have a dispute with your employer, contact the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How is public holiday pay calculated in Ontario?

Public Holiday Pay = (Regular Wages + Vacation Pay Payable) ÷ 20. Regular wages are what you earned in the 4 work weeks before the work week containing the holiday. The ÷ 20 divisor is always fixed — it doesn't matter how many days per week you work.

What is the "last and first rule"?

To qualify for public holiday pay, you must work your last regularly scheduled day before the holiday AND your first regularly scheduled day after the holiday. If you miss either without reasonable cause, you lose the entitlement.

What is "reasonable cause"?

Something beyond your control that prevents you from working — illness, family emergency, transit failure, etc. You bear the burden of proving reasonable cause if challenged.

What if I work on a public holiday?

If you agree (or are required in special industries), you have two options: (a) regular wages for hours worked + a substitute day off with public holiday pay, or (b) public holiday pay + premium pay (1.5×) for hours worked. You don't get a substitute day under option (b).

What is premium pay?

Premium pay is 1.5 times your regular rate for every hour worked on a public holiday. It's paid in addition to public holiday pay if you chose that option. Example: $20/hr → $30/hr premium.

What is a substitute holiday?

A substitute holiday is another working day off that replaces a public holiday. It must be scheduled within 3 months of the public holiday — or up to 12 months with your written agreement. You must receive a written statement showing the substitution details.

What if the holiday falls on my day off?

If the public holiday falls on a day that is not normally your working day (or during your vacation), you're entitled to either a substitute holiday with public holiday pay, OR public holiday pay without a substitute day (with your written agreement).

What are the special industry rules?

Employees in hotels/motels/tourist resorts, restaurants/taverns, hospitals/nursing homes, and continuous operations can be required to work on a public holiday. The employer chooses between: (a) regular rate + substitute day, or (b) public holiday pay + premium pay.

What if my employment ends before I take my substitute day?

Your employer must pay your public holiday pay at the same time as your final wages. This applies regardless of whether you quit, were fired, or left for any other reason.

Official Ontario information: Your Guide to the Employment Standards Act — Public Holidays · Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development

⚠️This tool is for information purpose only. We do not guarantee any claim.
It is made based on data publicaly available on official website of concerned department.

Last Updated: March 2026 | Official Determination Required

Related Calculators