As summer is now in full swing, workers will now want to enjoy the warm weather. There are several factors one must plan when they are getting ready for their summer vacations. One of these facets is informing your employer of your upcoming time away from work and discussing how you wish to apply your vacation pay during this period.
Employees in Canada receive certain amount of agreed upon paid time off each 12-month period. While this vacation can vary for each worker, it is legislated that every employee is entitled to vacation time off and at minimum two weeks of vacation pay. These two weeks of pay does not need to be spend consecutively but can be taken in different fractions of time. Some provinces even let employees use their vacation for one-day increments.
Vacation time must be taken within a certain time period after accruing it before it becomes obsolete and it is the responsibility of the employer to make sure the employee takes their vacation. If it is not possible for the employee to us all of their vacation before the end of the vacation entitlement year, they will be paid out the outstanding balance. This balance also must be paid out when there is a termination of an employee.
Employment contracts stated and dictate the terms around vacation pay and taking time off. The amount of vacation an employee can take depends on the company they work for, the position they hold, and the amount of service an employee has given an employee. Vacation is often use as incentive benefit when hiring a new employee.
While this seems like a relatively simple concept, there is much to consider when taking vacation but a well equipped payroll team will be able to handle vacation requests. Taking time away work is excellent for your mental health and can help you return to work refreshed.