Leap Year Extra Pay Period: What Canadian Employees Should Know

When a leap year rolls around, many Canadians wonder whether the extra day — February 29 — means extra pay or even an additional pay period. Here’s what you need to know about how leap years affect your salary, pay periods, and wages, especially with the next leap year approaching in 2028.

What Is a Leap Year?

A leap year has 366 days instead of 365 — adding February 29 to the calendar once every four years to keep our seasons aligned with Earth’s orbit.

That extra day might not sound like much, but it can cause confusion for both salaried and hourly workers when it comes to payroll and scheduling.

Do You Get Extra Pay During a Leap Year?

For most employees, the answer is no.

Your pay depends on how you’re compensated, not on how many days are in the year.

• Salaried employees: Your annual salary covers all the days in the year — whether it’s 365 or 366. You won’t see an increase just because of an extra day.
• Hourly or daily employees: If you work on Feb 29, you’ll be paid for that shift just like any other day.
• Commission or contract workers: Pay is tied to performance or project terms, not the calendar.

There’s no law in Canada requiring employers to give extra pay simply because of a leap day.

How Many Pay Periods Are in a Leap Year?

The number of pay periods usually stays the same whether it’s a common year or leap year — it’s based on your employer’s pay schedule.

• Weekly: 52 (or 53 if the calendar aligns that way)
• Bi-weekly: 26 (or occasionally 27)
• Semi-monthly: 24
• Monthly: 12

That extra day doesn’t automatically create an additional pay period. It just shifts the calendar slightly.

Leap Year Salary Pay: Are You Working for Free on Feb 29?

You might have heard people say they’re “working for free on Feb 29.”

That’s not actually true. Here’s why:

• Salaried workers are paid for the full calendar year, including all working days.
• Your pay structure (annual, bi-weekly, etc.) already accounts for the total time you work.
• Employers don’t owe an “extra day’s pay” because the year happens to be longer.

The only employees who might see direct pay for Feb 29 are hourly workers who actually clock in that day.

What Canadian Employment Law Says

Canadian employment standards legislation — both federal and provincial — does not require employers to make special pay adjustments for a leap year.

Whether you’re governed by the Canada Labour Code or a provincial employment standards act, the rules focus on hours worked, overtime, and pay frequency — not calendar length.

Employers are, however, expected to:

• Pay employees for all hours worked (including on Feb 29 if applicable).
• Follow their stated pay schedule (weekly, bi-weekly, etc.).
• Apply overtime rules normally if employees work extra hours that week.

So while the leap year might make payroll teams double-check their calendars, it doesn’t change your legal entitlements.

What Employers and Employees Can Do

Employees:

• Review your employment contract or pay statement if you’re unsure how salary is calculated.
• If you’re hourly, make sure Feb 29 is recorded like any other workday.
• Ask your HR department if payroll schedules or deductions shift in a leap year.

Employers:

• Confirm your payroll software correctly accounts for Feb 29.
• Communicate clearly that annual salaries already include the extra day.
• Avoid rounding or prorating errors when onboarding or offboarding around the leap day.

Key Takeaways

• A leap year adds one extra calendar day (Feb 29) — not an extra paycheck.
• Salaried workers earn the same annual pay whether there are 365 or 366 days.
• Hourly workers are paid for hours actually worked, including on Feb 29.
• The next leap year is 2028, so payroll teams will start preparing in 2027.
• There’s no legal requirement in Canada to pay extra for the leap day.

Final Word

The leap year may add a twist to the calendar, but it rarely affects your paycheque. Whether you’re on salary or hourly wages, you’re not working for free on Feb 29 — you’re simply following the same pay rules as every other year.

If you experience a workplace issue with your employer, or lose your job, an employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP can review your situation and explain your rights.