Ontario Vacation Pay Calculator

Calculate your vacation pay and vacation time under the Employment Standards Act.

ESA 2000 · 4% or 6% · 2 or 3 weeks

💡 Quick Examples — From the ESA Guide▶

Example 1 — Janice (less than 5 years):
Earned $16,000 in her vacation entitlement year.
→ 4% × $16,000 = $640.00 vacation pay

Example 2 — Quinn (7 years employed):
Earned $16,000 in his vacation entitlement year.
→ 6% × $16,000 = $960.00 vacation pay

Example 3 — Andrew (reaches 5 years mid-year):
At the start of the year, he had 4 years. Reached 5 years partway through.
→ 6% × $16,000 = $960.00 — 6% on the ENTIRE year!

👤 Employment Information

Date of Hire

Calculation Date

📅 Vacation Entitlement Year Type

StandardRecurring 12-month period from date of hire AlternativeEmployer-set date (creates a stub period)

Start Date of Alternative Vacation Entitlement Year

Stub Period Length (months)

Automatically calculated from your dates if possible.

🚪 Employment Status

Currently EmployedCalculate ongoing entitlement Terminated / QuitCalculate vacation pay payout

💼 Work Pattern

I have a regular work week

Days in Your Regular Work Week

Total Days Worked in the Year

We divide this by 52.18 weeks to get your average days per week.

💰 Wages & Vacation Pay

Gross Wages in the Vacation Entitlement Year ($)

Vacation Pay Already Paid to You ($)

Included in gross wages: regular earnings, commissions, non-discretionary bonuses, overtime pay, public holiday pay, termination pay, room & board allowances, domestic/sexual violence leave pay.

Excluded: vacation pay, tips, discretionary bonuses, expenses, living allowances, EI benefits, severance pay.

VACATION PAY CALCULATED

Years of Employment 5.0 years

Vacation Pay Rate 4%

Vacation Time Entitlement 2 weeks

Gross Wages Earned $16,000.00

Vacation Pay Earned $640.00

Less: Vacation Pay Already Paid −$0.00

      Vacation Pay Owing
      $640.00
    

💵 Termination Payout: You are entitled to $640.00 in vacation pay. Payment is due within 7 days of termination or your next pay day, whichever is later.

📅 Vacation Time Deadline: Your vacation time must be taken within 10 months after completing the vacation entitlement year. If your entitlement year ends on —, your vacation must be taken by —.

📋 Records: Employers must keep vacation records and provide them to you on request. You can request a vacation statement in writing at any time.

📖 Vacation Pay vs. Vacation Time — What's the Difference?▶

Vacation Pay: A percentage of your gross wages — 4% (less than 5 years) or 6% (5+ years). You earn vacation pay from your first hour of work. Even if you don't complete the full year, you're entitled to vacation pay on every dollar you earn.

Vacation Time: The number of weeks off — 2 weeks (less than 5 years) or 3 weeks (5+ years). You only earn vacation time if you complete the full vacation entitlement year (or stub period). If you quit before the year ends, you get vacation pay but not vacation time.

The 5-Year Threshold: If you reach 5 years of employment partway through a vacation entitlement year, you get 6% vacation pay on ALL wages for that entire year — not just the portion after your anniversary. The test is measured at the end of the vacation entitlement year.

Can you give up vacation time? Yes, with your employer's agreement and the approval of the Director of Employment Standards. But you cannot give up vacation pay — that's always owed to you.

📅 Key Deadlines & Rules▶

Vacation time deadline: Must be taken within 10 months after the vacation entitlement year (or stub period) ends.
Vacation pay on termination: Must be paid within 7 days of termination or on what would have been the next pay day, whichever is later.
Paycheque deduction method: Employers can pay vacation pay on each paycheque if the employee agrees in writing. When the 5-year threshold is reached, a "top-up" of 2% is owed on wages earned before the threshold.
Public holiday during vacation: The day remains a vacation day, but the employee is entitled to a substitute day off with public holiday pay (within 3 months) or public holiday pay without a substitute day (with agreement).
Leaves of absence: Time on ESA-protected leave counts toward completing the vacation entitlement year, but vacation pay is only calculated on actual wages earned.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimate for informational purposes only. Actual vacation pay and vacation time 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

What is the difference between vacation pay and vacation time?

Vacation pay is a percentage (4% or 6%) of your gross wages. You earn it from your first hour of work. Vacation time is the number of weeks off (2 or 3). You only earn vacation time if you complete the full vacation entitlement year or stub period.

What rate applies to me?

Less than 5 years: 4% vacation pay and 2 weeks vacation time. 5 or more years: 6% vacation pay and 3 weeks vacation time. The 5-year threshold is measured at the end of the vacation entitlement year.

What is a stub period?

If your employer uses an alternative vacation entitlement year (e.g., January 1 to December 31) but you were hired on a different date, the period from your hire date to the start of the first alternative year is a "stub period." You earn a pro-rated vacation entitlement for that period.

What happens when I reach 5 years mid-year?

You get 6% vacation pay on ALL wages for the entire vacation entitlement year — not just the portion after your anniversary. The 5-year threshold is measured at the end of the year.

What if I'm terminated before completing the year?

You're still entitled to vacation pay (4% or 6%) on all wages earned that year. But you don't earn vacation time unless you complete the full year or stub period.

Can my employer pay vacation pay on each paycheque?

Yes, if you agree in writing. When you reach 5 years, your employer owes a top-up of 2% on wages earned before the 5-year threshold was reached in that year.

Can I give up my vacation time?

Yes, with your employer's agreement and the approval of the Director of Employment Standards. But you cannot give up vacation pay — it's always owed to you.

What if a public holiday falls during my vacation?

The day remains a vacation day, but you're entitled to a substitute day off with public holiday pay (within 3 months, or 12 months with agreement) OR public holiday pay without a substitute day (with agreement).

Do leaves of absence affect my vacation entitlement?

Time on ESA-protected leaves (pregnancy, parental, sick, family caregiver, etc.) counts toward completing the vacation entitlement year. However, vacation pay is calculated only on actual wages earned during the year.

Official Ontario information: Your Guide to the Employment Standards Act — Vacation · 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

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