No increase in pay for salaried employees on February 29: Lior Samfiru discusses on 900 CHML

Interview Summary

Every four years, Canadians experience an extra day in February. For employees paid hourly, this will mean an increase in wages for the month. Should salaried employees expect a similar rise in their compensation? Are employers obligated to offer a raise for staff?

Lior Samfiru, a Toronto employment lawyer and National co-founding Partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP joined 900 CHML with Rick Zamperin to discuss the extra day and its implications for employees.

Interview Notes

• Regular work day for employees: Samfiru discussed the possible difference of this leap year in comparison to others, but ultimately reiterated it is a regular work day. “People are becoming more aware of employment rights. When it comes to pay, it is business as usual for most employees. Salaried employees get paid a certain amount a year, and this year is still a year.”
• Leap year bonus: “There is no leap year bonus,” Samfiru stated. “Employers do not have to pay extra to employees unless they go over 44 hours a week.” Samfiru did express that salaried employees should be wary of potentially making less than minimum wage due to the extra day.
• Expressing concerns to an employer: Samfiru expressed that it is unlikely employers will consider the minimum wage implications without employees expressing their concerns. “Employees should be mindful and do those calculations.”
• Leap years for unionized employees: “Collective agreements can sometimes address the extra pay for that extra day,” Samfiru explained. “It is not common but exists, especially with larger collective agreements.”

Related Resources

For further insights and discussions related to leap years and employee rights, explore the following resources:

• Are salaried employees owed extra pay in a leap year?
• Employment lawyer discusses leap year pay with The Globe and Mail