Statutory Holidays in Quebec: 2024 Guide

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Statutory Holidays in Quebec: 2024 Guide

Introduction

Statutory holidays in Quebec provide employees significant opportunities to rest, celebrate, and spend time with loved ones. For employers, statutory holidays impact payroll, scheduling, and operations.

This comprehensive guide covers everything employers and employees need to know about statutory holidays in Quebec in 2024.

We’ll explore each statutory holiday on the calendar, eligibility rules, pay calculations, operational impacts, and key dates. Read on for a detailed overview of Quebec’s statutory holiday laws, compliance, and best practices.

Overview of Statutory Holidays in Quebec

Quebec has nine statutory holidays each calendar year:

• New Year’s Day
• Good Friday or Easter Monday (employer’s choice)
• Victoria Day/National Patriots’ Day
• Fête nationale du Québec (Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day)
• Canada Day
• Labour Day
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas Day
• Boxing Day (added in 2024)

Some key details:

• Most employees are eligible for statutory holiday benefits
• Employers can substitute a different day for some holidays under certain conditions
• Employees must work a certain period before/after the holiday to qualify
• Pay depends on whether the employee works the holiday or not

Statutory holidays provide essential opportunities for rest and time with family. However, they also impact payroll, scheduling, policies, and more for Quebec employers.

Eligibility for Statutory Holiday Pay and Time Off in Quebec

Under the Act Respecting Labour Standards, the vast majority of Quebec employees are eligible for general statutory holidays. This includes full-time, part-time, permanent, and contract employees.

To qualify for a given statutory holiday, employees must:

• Have three months of continuous service with the employer
• Have worked the scheduled shift before and after the holiday (with permission for absences)

Probationary employees with less than three months of continuous service are eligible if they meet a threshold for hours worked in the month preceding the holiday:

Months of Continuous Employment	Required Hours Worked in the Previous Month
1 month	60+ hours
2 months	120+ hours

There are specific categories of employees exempt from statutory holiday eligibility rules, including:

• Management and professional staff
• Students working during holidays
• Some agriculture and aquaculture workers

It is the employer’s responsibility to verify eligibility for each employee per the Act.

Statutory Holiday Pay Calculation in Quebec

Employees who qualify for the holiday and do not work must receive their regular day’s wages as statutory holiday pay.

For employees paid by the hour, their regular hourly wage is multiplied by the number of hours in their standard workday.

For salaried employees, it is their standard salary for that day.

For employees paid commissions, including certain sales representatives, statutory holiday pay is calculated as 5.5% of gross wages, including commissions, in the 4 weeks preceding the holiday.

Overtime pay is not included in the calculation.

Employees who work on the holiday are entitled to their statutory holiday pay plus wages for hours worked at the standard rate or premium rate, depending on policies and collective agreements.

Read more: Minimum Wage in Quebec

Operational Impacts of Statutory Holidays in Quebec

Statutory holidays affect much more than just payroll. Employers must factor them into scheduling, operations, policies, etc.

Some key considerations:

• Scheduling – Who will work vs have a day off? How to handle closures?
• Staffing – Do you need temps to cover absences?
• Payroll – Holiday pay factored into budgets
• Policies – Substitute day rules if applicable
• Work-life balance – Burnout if no breaks

With nine statutory holidays yearly, employers must plan extensively to minimize disruption. Clear policies and advanced communication with employees are crucial.

Key Dates for Statutory Holidays in Quebec in 2024

Here are the critical dates for statutory holidays in Quebec in 2024:

Holiday	Date
New Year’s Day	Monday, January 1
Good Friday	Friday, March 29
Easter Monday	Monday, April 1
Victoria Day/National Patriots’ Day	Monday, May 20
Fête nationale du Québec	Monday, June 24
Canada Day	Monday, July 1
Labour Day	Monday, September 2
Thanksgiving Day	Monday, October 14
Christmas Day	Wednesday, December 25
Boxing Day	Thursday, December 26

Again, employers can substitute Good Friday or Easter Monday with a written employee agreement.

It’s vital to sync these dates with your payroll calendar, schedules, operations calendars, and policies for smooth statutory holiday management.

Detailed Overview of Each 2024 Statutory Holiday in Quebec

Below, we’ll explore critical details on each of the statutory holidays in Quebec in 2024:

New Year’s Day – January 1

• First statutory holiday of the year
• Almost all employees qualify
• Celebrates the beginning of the new year
• Entitled to regular wages if day off
• Workday treated as usual if required to work

New Year’s Day is a paid day off for almost all employees in Quebec unless they are required to work for an essential service. It is an opportunity to recover from New Year’s celebrations and start the year relaxed.

Good Friday or Easter Monday – April 1 or March 29

• Employers choose which day to observe
• Celebrates Christian holiday
• Retail and restaurants may remain open
• Qualifying employees are entitled to regular wages if they have a day off
• Premium pay may apply if required to work

Quebec employers can select Good Friday or Easter Monday as the statutory holiday. Most businesses close, though some restaurants and retail establishments may remain open if publicly permitted. Employees required to work may receive premium pay.

Victoria Day/National Patriots’ Day – May 20

• Coincides with Victoria Day in other provinces
• Celebrates the birthday of Queen Victoria
• Commemorates Patriotes of Lower Canada Rebellion
• Entitled to regular wages if day off
• No substitute day is allowed

This holiday combines Victoria Day with National Patriots’ Day, commemorating the Patriotes rebels of 1837. All employees are entitled to the day off with regular pay or premium pay if required to work this statutory holiday.

Fête Nationale du Québec – June 24

• Celebrates Quebec’s national identity
• Popularly known as Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day
• Parades, parties, and fireworks
• Most employees qualify for paid days off
• No federal workers or self-employed
• Premium pay for working holiday

Fête Nationale du Québec honours Quebec’s patron saint Jean-Baptiste and celebrates Quebec nationalism. It is a paid day off for most workers, with celebrations including parades, concerts, and parties. Employees who work receive premium compensation.

Canada Day – July 1

• Celebrates the founding of Canada
• Federal statutory holiday across Canada
• Eligibility depends on employer and agreements
• It may be treated as a normal workday
• Public holiday – some businesses closed

Canada’s national holiday is a paid statutory holiday for many Quebec employees, though eligibility depends on specific employers and collective agreements. Most federal employees are off, and many businesses close for the day.

Labour Day – First Monday of September

• Celebrates contributions of workers
• Originated in late 19th century
• Entitlement to paid day off for most employees
• No substitute day is allowed
• Retail and restaurants often remain open

Labour Day honours the achievements and contributions of workers across Canada. Most Quebec employees receive the day off with pay. Retail stores and restaurants often remain open. Employees who work receive appropriate holiday compensation.

Thanksgiving – Second Monday of October

• Day of giving thanks
• Originated with harvest festivals
• Common family dinner celebrations
• Most employees receive paid days off
• Premium pay for working holiday
• No substitute day is allowed

Thanksgiving is a chance for families and friends to gather and express gratitude. Most employees receive the day off with regular pay. Those required to work receive appropriate holiday compensation. No substitute days are permitted by law.

Christmas Day – December 25

• Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ
• Public holidays across Canada
• Most Quebec employees are entitled to paid days off
• Premium pay for working holiday
• Many businesses and services closed

Christmas is a religious and public holiday commemorating the nativity of Jesus. Most employees in Quebec receive the day off with holiday pay, and employees who work on Christmas receive premium compensation.

Boxing Day – December 26

• Day after Christmas
• Not all provinces observe Boxing Day
• Popular for Boxing Week shopping sales
• Most employees are entitled to paid days off
• Retail may remain open with premium pay

Boxing Day is a statutory holiday in Quebec, the day after Christmas. While not all Canadian provinces observe it, most Quebec employees can take the day off with regular pay. Retail employees may work with appropriate compensation.

Substitute Holiday Rules in Quebec

The Act Respecting Labour Standards contains provisions for substitute holidays under specific conditions.

These rules apply to three statutory holidays:

• Canada Day
• Labour Day
• Thanksgiving

For these days, an employer can substitute a different day off if:

• The employer and the majority of employees agree in writing
• The substitute day is taken within three weeks before or after the actual holiday

This provides some flexibility in scheduling. However, employers cannot unilaterally impose substitute days and must secure employee agreement.

Premium Pay for Working Statutory Holidays in Quebec

Employees required to work on a statutory holiday are entitled to premium pay by law in Quebec.

If the employee is qualified for the holiday, they must receive:

• Their regular daily wages as statutory holiday pay
• Overtime pay for any hours worked on the holiday

Alternatively, by agreement, the employee can receive:

• Regular wages for hours worked on the holiday
• A substitute day off with pay within three weeks

The premium pay compensates employees for working a statutory holiday instead of spending that time off.

Developing Statutory Holiday Policies

Quebec employers should develop clear statutory holiday policies and communicate them to employees.

Policies should cover:

• Dates of statutory holidays
• Eligibility rules
• Pay calculations
• Premium pay where applicable
• Substitute day provisions
• How employees request days off
• How substitution agreements are secured

Well-drafted policies prevent confusion and disputes. They help ensure consistent, equitable application of rules across the organization.

Tips for Smooth Statutory Holiday Management

Here are some tips for effectively managing statutory holidays in Quebec as an employer:

• Plan schedules and staffing well in advance
• Communicate dates, policies, and eligibility to all employees
• Update payroll systems ahead of time
• Post reminders of upcoming holidays
• Seek substitute day agreements with enough notice
• Watch for unauthorized absences before/after the holiday
• Ensure proper holiday and premium pay

With proper planning, communication, and execution, employers can meet statutory holiday requirements while minimizing disruptions to operations and service.

Key Takeaways for Statutory Holidays in Quebec

The major takeaways on statutory holiday compliance and management in Quebec include:

• Nine statutory holidays in 2024
• Most employees qualify for time off with pay
• Pay depends on whether the employee works or not
• Substitute days are allowed under certain conditions
• Premium pay is required for working holiday
• Many operational impacts beyond just payroll
• Proper planning, policies, and communication are key

Employers must comply with all requirements while also strategically using holidays to promote work-life balance and employee morale. With preparation and leadership, holidays can be a win-win for employers and staff.

Conclusion

Statutory holidays hold significance across Quebec as important days of rest, celebration, and time with loved ones.

This guide provided a comprehensive overview of statutory holidays in Quebec in 2024 – eligibility rules, pay calculations, substitute days, premium pay, operational impacts, and critical compliance tips.

With vigorous planning, transparent policies, strong employee communications, and leadership around holiday management, employers can effectively meet legal requirements while using holidays to boost morale, productivity, and work-life balance across their organizations. Employees who take needed breaks return feeling refreshed and refocused.

Quebec’s statutory holidays give workers valuable opportunities to pause and celebrate the province’s cultural heritage. When strategically leveraged by providing these employee benefits, the holidays can improve work-life balance for employees while enabling companies to enhance morale and productivity. This way, Quebec statutory holidays can confer benefits across workers, organizations, and communities.

FAQs related to Statutory Holidays in Quebec in 2024

Article Sources

• 2024 Statutory Holidays in Québec: The Complete List – jobillico.com
• Quebec’s National Holiday and July 1st: Long Weekends, Different Rights – educaloi.qc.ca
• Quebec Provincial Payroll Information – canpay.com

Statutory Holidays in Quebec: 2024 Guide
Ben Nguyen