BC employers don’t have to provide personal days that employees can use for any reason. Your entitlement to employer-provided personal days depends on your employment contract, workplace policy or collective agreement.

However, you may still have a legal right to time off for illness, family responsibilities or another protected reason, even if your workplace doesn’t offer personal days.

💡 Important: BC’s five paid sick days aren’t five unrestricted personal days. They are for eligible employees who need time off because of their own illness or injury.

On This Page

How Many Personal Days Do You Get in BC?

There is no minimum number of unrestricted personal days under BC’s Employment Standards Act. Some employers offer them as a workplace benefit. Others don’t.

Check your contract or employee handbook for the number of days, when you become eligible, permitted uses and how to request time off.

Are Personal Days Paid in BC?

Employer-provided personal days can be paid or unpaid. The terms of your contract, workplace policy or collective agreement determine which applies.

Personal Days vs. Sick Days, Family Leave and Vacation

The reason you need time off determines which rules apply. These entitlements aren’t interchangeable:

  • Sick days: Employees covered by BC’s Employment Standards Act receive up to five paid and three unpaid days per calendar year for their own illness or injury after 90 consecutive days with the employer. Read about sick days in BC.
  • Family responsibility leave: Up to five unpaid days per employment year for qualifying care, health or education responsibilities involving a child under 19 in your care, or the care or health of another immediate family member. An employment year runs from your employment anniversary, not necessarily January 1.
  • Vacation: Annual vacation has separate legal entitlements and scheduling rules. Learn more about vacation time in BC.

For other protected absences, see our BC leave of absence guide.

Can Your Employer Refuse a Personal Day in BC?

An employer can refuse a discretionary personal-day request, subject to your contract and workplace policy. But they can’t refuse a protected leave you qualify for simply because the workplace is busy or short-staffed.

For example, taking a day to move homes may require approval. Taking time off to care for a sick child may qualify for family responsibility leave.

Tell your employer when you need time off and enough about the reason to identify the applicable leave. Give advance notice where possible. For an unexpected illness or emergency, notify them as soon as you can.

⚠️ Calling an absence a “personal day” doesn’t automatically protect it. Identify the leave that applies and follow its notice and evidence requirements.

Can You Be Fired for Taking a Personal Day?

Your employer can’t fire you because you took a protected leave you were entitled to. However, an unapproved absence that isn’t legally protected can lead to discipline.

If you’re threatened, disciplined or fired after requesting time off, keep your leave request, your employer’s response and the relevant workplace policy. Get advice before resigning or signing a severance agreement.

Severance pay in BC can be as high as 24 months’ pay.

Personal Leave for Federally Regulated Employees in BC

Employees covered by federal labour standards have different personal-leave rights. Working in BC doesn’t automatically mean provincial employment standards apply.

Under the Canada Labour Code, eligible employees can take up to five days of personal leave per calendar year for specified reasons, including qualifying family responsibilities, urgent situations and a citizenship ceremony.

The first three days are paid after three consecutive months of continuous employment with the same employer. These aren’t unrestricted days off. See the federal government’s personal leave rules.

Personal Days in BC: FAQs

Can You Take a Personal Day for Errands or Appointments?

Your employer’s personal-day policy may allow it. Otherwise, you may need to request vacation or approved unpaid time off. An appointment connected to a protected medical or family need may fall under different rules.

Do Unused Personal Days Carry Over or Get Paid Out?

Check your contract, workplace policy or collective agreement. Don’t assume unused personal days carry over or must be paid out like earned vacation pay. BC’s statutory sick days don’t carry over from one calendar year to the next.

What if You’ve Used All Your Personal Days?

Using up employer-provided personal days doesn’t automatically end your right to protected leave. Check whether your circumstances qualify for sick leave, family responsibility leave or another legal protection.

Denied Protected Leave or Fired After Taking Time Off?

The BC employment lawyers at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP help non-unionized employees facing denied protected leave, workplace discipline and dismissal.

Before you sign, always check first.

➡️ Get a Consultation or call 1-855-821-5900.

Advice You Need. Compensation You Deserve.

Consult with Samfiru Tumarkin LLP. We are one of Canada's most experienced and trusted employment, labour and disability law firms. Take advantage of our years of experience and success in the courtroom and at the negotiating table.

Get help now