Statutory holidays are important in achieving work-life balance for employees while ensuring employers adhere to labour standards. In Newfoundland and Labrador, these designated days off provide workers with time to rest while establishing expectations regarding holiday pay and time-off entitlements.
This guide details stat holidays in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2024 and 2025 and related labour rules and pay regulations.
Key Takeaways
- Employees are entitled to paid holidays as scheduled by the employer or as prescribed by collective agreement.
- The designated holidays in Newfoundland and Labrador are New Year’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Good Friday, St. George’s Day, Victoria (Commonwealth) Day, June Holiday, Memorial Day, Orangemen’s Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Armistice (Remembrance) Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and one civic holiday.
- Employees who qualify for statutory holiday pay receive double their regular rate of pay for the hours worked on the holiday.
Statutory Holidays in Newfoundland and Labrador for 2024 and 2025
Below are the designated holidays in Newfoundland and Labrador and their respective dates.
| Holiday | 2024 | 2025 |
| New Year’s Day | January 1 (Monday) | January 1 (Wednesday) |
| St. Patrick’s Day | March 18 (Monday) | March 17 (Monday) |
| Good Friday | March 29 (Friday) | April 18 (Friday) |
| St. George’s Day | April 22 (Monday) | April 21 (Monday) |
| Victoria Day | May 20 (Monday) | May 19 (Monday) |
| June Holiday* | June 24 (Monday) | June 23 (Monday) |
| Memorial Day | July 1 (Monday) | July 1 (Tuesday) |
| Orangeman’s Day | July 15 (Monday) | July 14 (Monday) |
| Labour Day | September 2 (Monday) | September 1 (Monday) |
| National Day for Truth and Reconciliation* | September 30 (Monday) | September 30 (Tuesday) |
| Thanksgiving Day | October 14 (Monday) | October 13 (Monday) |
| Armistice Day (Remembrance Day) | November 11 (Monday) | November 11 (Tuesday) |
| Christmas Day | December 25 (Wednesday) | December 25 (Thursday) |
| Boxing Day | December 26 (Thursday) | December 26 (Friday) |
*The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and the June Holiday designated holidays are currently under consultation.
Statutory Holiday Pay Rules in Newfoundland and Labrador
The statutory holiday pay rules in Newfoundland and Labrador are as follows:
- Eligibility. Employees must have worked for the same employer for at least 30 days to be entitled to statutory holiday pay.Â
- Payment. Employees who work on a statutory holiday are entitled to either:
- Double their regular wage rate for the hours worked on the holiday, or
- An additional paid day off within 30 days of the stat holiday, or
- An additional paid vacation day.
- Regular Pay. Employees who do not work on a stat holiday but have worked their regular shifts will receive a regular day’s wage.
Calculating Statutory Holiday Pay in Newfoundland and Labrador
The following are some guidelines to follow when calculating statutory holiday pay in Newfoundland and Labrador:
- Determine the employee’s regular pay rate or the hourly wage they typically earn.
- Calculate the number of hours the employee worked. Find out how many hours the employee worked in the three weeks immediately prior to the stat holiday.
- Calculate the statutory holiday pay based on the employee’s situation:
- Double pay. Multiply the regular pay rate of the employee by the average number of hours worked. Multiply the product by two.
- Substitute day offs. Employees who opt for a substitute day off will receive their regular pay rate for the hours they would have worked.Â
Employers must adhere to any other regulations or guidelines established by the Labour Standards Division of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Labour Standards for Statutory Holidays in Newfoundland and Labrador
Labour standards for designated holidays in Newfoundland and Labrador are as follows:
- If an employee is scheduled to work on a designated holiday that falls on a regular working day, the employee will be entitled to compensation for the designated holiday and any of the two:
- Paid time off at 1.5 times the regular rate for each hour worked, to be scheduled at a date agreed to by the employee and the Deputy Minister; or,
- Suppose the preferred paid time off is not provided within 4 months of the designated holiday. In that case, the employee will be entitled to payment at 1.5 times their regular wage rate for all hours worked on the designated holiday. Â
- If an employee is required to work on a designated holiday that falls on their regular or assigned day of rest, and there is no scheduled substitute holiday, the employee will be entitled to compensation for the designated holiday and any of the two:
- Time off with full pay within 2 months of the designated holiday, at a rate of 2 hours off for every hour worked, plus an extra day off to replace the holiday; or,
- If the above option is not feasible, the employee will receive payment equivalent to the time off indicated in the first option.
- Employees who do not work on a stat holiday will receive a regular day’s pay, provided they have worked their scheduled working days before and after the holiday.Â
Employees have the option to receive either double their wages for the hours worked on the stat holiday, an additional paid day off within 30 days or an extra paid vacation day.
What Happens If a Statutory Holiday in Newfoundland and Labrador Falls on a Weekend?
If a designated holiday in Newfoundland and Labrador falls on a non-working day or an employee’s rest day, the employee will be granted a substitute day off at a later date. The replacement date must receive approval from the Deputy Minister.
FAQs
Is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation a statutory holiday in Newfoundland and Labrador?
No, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is not a stat holiday in the province since the provincial government has not recognized it. Some provincial and territorial governments observe the day as a stat holiday, but in Newfoundland and Labrador, only government employees get the day off.Â
What if employees work fewer hours on a paid stat holiday?
For employees required to work fewer hours on a paid stat holiday, their employer will pay them at their regular rate for the hours worked plus a regular day’s pay.
Can employees with differing hours qualify for statutory holiday pay?
Employees with differing hours who work on a stat holiday can receive the associated benefits, provided they meet the two requirements. They must have worked for at least 30 calendar days before the holiday and have completed their shifts before and after the stat holiday.
Related:
- Statutory Holidays in New Brunswick
- Statutory Holidays in Alberta
- Statutory Holidays in Manitoba
- Statutory Holidays in Ontario
