What absences continue to accumulate vacation in Quebec?

Maternity leave (18 weeks or less), paternity leave (5 weeks or less), sickness or accident (26 weeks or less), organ donation, and domestic or sexual abuse all continue to accumulate vacation. Parental leave does NOT accumulate.

Quebec Vacation Pay Calculator 2026

Calculate your vacation indemnity and vacation time under the Loi sur les normes du travail.

LNT 4% or 6% 2 or 3 Weeks

Key Rules: Vacation indemnity is 4% (2 weeks) for less than 3 years of uninterrupted service, and 6% (3 weeks) from the 3rd year onward. The reference year is typically May 1 to April 30. If you reach 3 years of service DURING the reference year, the 6% rate applies to ALL wages for that year.

💡 Quick Examples — From CNESST▶

Mario (2 years of service, 4%):
Reference year: May 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024
Gross wages = $25,600
Vacation indemnity = $25,600 × 4% = $1,024.00

Stéphanie (3 years reached mid-year, 6%):
Reached 3 years on September 21, 2023
Reference year: May 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024
Gross wages = $45,000
Vacation indemnity = $45,000 × 6% = $2,700.00
Note: 6% applies to the FULL year, including before September 21.

Sylvain (sickness absence, 4%):
Worked 26 weeks at $600/week = $15,600
Sick 26 weeks (accumulates)
Average weekly wage = $15,600 ÷ 26 = $600
Vacation indemnity = $600 × 2 weeks = $1,200.00

Élizabeth (maternity + parental, 6%):
Worked 24 weeks at $800/week
Maternity 18 weeks (accumulates)
Parental 10 weeks (does NOT accumulate)
Base indemnity = $800 × 3 weeks = $2,400
Prorated = $2,400 × (24+18)/52 = $2,400 × 42/52 = $1,938.46

💼 Employment Information

Date of Hire

Reference Year Start

Reference Year End

📅 Reference Year: May 1, 2024 to April 30, 2025 · Years of service at end: —

💰 Gross Wages During Reference Year

Gross Wages ($)

Total wages earned during the reference year.

📊 Optional Breakdown

Leave blank if you already entered Gross Wages above. Filling these in will auto-sum into the total.

Regular Wages / Salary

Commissions

Overtime Pay

Bonuses

🏥 Absences During Reference Year (Optional)

I was absent during the reference year

Type of Absence

Weeks of Absence

📋 Absence Info: Select an absence type to see how it affects your vacation calculation.

⚙️ Options

I have a written agreement for a higher rate

Custom Vacation Indemnity Percentage (%)

The LNT allows employers to provide MORE than the minimum — those agreements are enforceable.

I am a seasonal/intermittent employee (indemnity added to each pay)

VACATION INDEMNITY CALCULATED

$0.00

vacation indemnity

🏖️ 2 weeks

Years of Uninterrupted Service 0.0 years

Vacation Indemnity Rate 4%

Vacation Time Entitlement 2 weeks

Gross Wages (Reference Year) $0.00

Base Indemnity (before absence adjustment) $0.00

      Vacation Indemnity
      $0.00
    

✓ Absence Accumulates: Your leave continues to accumulate vacation under LNT Articles 81-82. The base indemnity calculation applies without reduction.

⚠️ Absence Does NOT Accumulate: Your parental leave does NOT accumulate vacation under the LNT. The indemnity is prorated for the weeks you were NOT on parental leave.

📅 Reference Year: Vacation accumulates over the 12-month reference year (May 1 to April 30). Vacation must be taken within 12 months of the end of the reference year.

🌾 Seasonal/Intermittent Employee: Your employer may add the vacation indemnity to each pay (per LNT Art. 75). Common in tourism, agriculture, and fisheries.

📋 Custom Rate Applied: You have a written agreement for a higher vacation indemnity rate than the LNT minimum. Your entitlement is calculated using your agreed rate.

📋 Vacation Timing: Your employer must inform you of vacation dates at least 4 weeks in advance. Your indemnity is paid in a lump sum before vacation starts, or at the time of the current pay covering the vacation period.

🏖️ Divided Vacation: If you have more than 1 week of vacation, you can choose to divide it into 2 periods. Your employer cannot impose a division (LNT Art. 71-72).

📋 Additional Leave: If you have 2 weeks of vacation, you can request an additional week WITHOUT PAY. Your employer must grant this leave (LNT Art. 73). It cannot be taken immediately after your 2 weeks.

📋 Your Rights:

Employer must give 4 weeks' notice of vacation dates
Indemnity paid in lump sum before vacation starts
Employer cannot impose division of vacation
Additional unpaid week must be granted (if 2-week worker)
Report issues to CNESST

🧮 Calculation Walkthrough — See your numbers plugged in▶

Step 1 — Years of Uninterrupted Service:

—

Step 2 — Vacation Indemnity Rate:

—

Step 3 — Vacation Time Entitlement:

—

Step 4 — Vacation Indemnity Calculation:

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📊 Vacation Time Entitlement Table

Years of Service	Vacation Allocated	Vacation Indemnity
Less than 1 year	1 day per full month (max 2 weeks)	4% of gross wages
1 year to less than 3 years	2 consecutive weeks	4% of gross wages
3 years	3 consecutive weeks	6% of gross wages
From the 4th year	3 consecutive weeks (or more)	6% of gross wages

🏥 Absences That Accumulate vs Do Not Accumulate▶

✅ Absences that CONTINUE to accumulate vacation (LNT Art. 81-82):

Maternity leave of 18 weeks or less
Paternity leave of 5 weeks or less
Absence due to sickness or accident of 26 weeks or less
Absence related to organ or tissue donation for transplant
Absence related to accident, domestic or sexual abuse

❌ Absences that do NOT accumulate vacation:

Parental leave (excluded from the calculation)
Other leaves not specifically listed in the LNT

CNESST Example — Maternity + Parental Leave:

Élizabeth has 8 years of service → 3 weeks vacation at 6%.
She worked 24 weeks at $800/week.
She took 18 weeks of maternity leave (accumulates) and 10 weeks of parental leave (does NOT accumulate).

Base indemnity = $800 × 3 weeks = $2,400
Prorated for 24 (worked) + 18 (maternity) = 42 weeks out of 52:
$2,400 × 42 ÷ 52 = $1,938.46

📖 Quebec Vacation Rules — Timing, Division, Deferral▶

Timing (LNT Art. 70-71): The employer chooses the vacation period. They must inform employees at least 4 weeks in advance. The indemnity is paid in a lump sum before vacation starts, or at the time of the current pay covering the vacation period.

Early Vacation (LNT Art. 69): At the worker's request, the employer may allow them to take all or part of their vacation during the reference year. The proportion of the indemnity is negotiated.

Deferred Vacation (LNT Art. 77): Vacation may be deferred to the following year ONLY if the worker is absent or on leave for specific reasons (non-work accident/illness, organ donation, domestic/sexual abuse, serious injury from a criminal offence, or family/parental reasons including caregiver absence). The employer has the right to deny the request.

Divided Vacation (LNT Art. 71-72):

Employer cannot impose division
1 week or less must be consecutive
More than 1 week: worker may divide into 2 periods or take consecutively
More than 2 periods requires employer consent
Exception: Employer who closed before March 29, 1995 may divide 3-week vacations

Additional Leave (LNT Art. 73): A worker with 2 weeks of vacation may request an additional week WITHOUT PAY. The employer MUST grant this leave. It cannot be taken immediately after the 2 weeks.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimate for informational purposes only. Actual entitlements are governed by the Quebec Loi sur les normes du travail (LNT) and any applicable employment contract, decree, or collective agreement (which may provide greater benefits). For disputes, contact CNESST (Commission des normes, de l'équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail).

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How is vacation pay calculated in Quebec?

Vacation indemnity is 4% of gross wages for less than 3 years of uninterrupted service, and 6% for 3 or more years. It's calculated on gross wages earned during the reference year (typically May 1 to April 30).

What is the reference year?

The reference year is a 12-month period during which vacation accumulates. The default is May 1 to April 30, but it can be customized by the employer, a decree, or a collective agreement. Vacation must be taken within 12 months of the end of the reference year.

What's the difference between 4% and 6%?

4% applies for less than 3 years of uninterrupted service and gives 2 weeks of vacation. 6% applies from the 3rd year onward and gives 3 weeks of vacation.

How does less than 1 year of service work?

Workers with less than 1 year of service earn 1 day of vacation per full month of uninterrupted service, up to a maximum of 2 weeks. The indemnity is 4% of gross wages.

What absences continue to accumulate vacation?

Maternity leave (18 weeks or less), paternity leave (5 weeks or less), sickness or accident (26 weeks or less), organ donation, and domestic/sexual abuse all continue to accumulate vacation. Parental leave does NOT accumulate.

What is the 3-year threshold?

If a worker reaches 3 years of uninterrupted service during the reference year, the 6% rate applies to ALL wages earned during that entire reference year — including wages earned before the 3-year anniversary.

When is vacation indemnity paid?

The employer chooses the vacation period and must inform employees 4 weeks in advance. The indemnity is paid in a lump sum before vacation starts, or at the time of the current pay covering the vacation period.

Can I divide my vacation?

Yes, if you have more than 1 week of vacation, you can choose to divide it into 2 periods. Your employer cannot impose a division. For more than 2 periods, you need the employer's consent.

What is deferred vacation?

Vacation may be deferred to the following year only if the worker is absent or on leave for specific reasons (non-work accident/illness, organ donation, domestic/sexual abuse, serious injury from a criminal offence, or family/parental reasons). The employer has the right to deny the request.

What is additional leave?

A worker with 2 weeks of vacation may request an additional week WITHOUT PAY. The employer must grant this leave. It cannot be taken immediately after the 2 weeks. Workers with 3+ weeks may request additional leave at their own expense, but the employer may refuse.

Official Quebec resources: CNESST Annual Vacation · CNESST — Commission des normes, de l'équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail

⚠️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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