In British Columbia, there is no fixed number of weekly hours that legally defines full-time employment. Many employers consider 35, 37.5 or 40 hours per week full-time, but the definition depends on your workplace and employment agreement.
BC’s Employment Standards Act sets standard working hours at eight hours per day and 40 hours per week. These are overtime thresholds, not a legal definition of full-time work.
Here’s what counts as full-time in BC, how full-time and part-time rights compare, and what happens if your employer cuts your hours.
💡 Quick Answer: Working 35, 37.5 or 40 hours a week can all count as full-time employment in BC. The law doesn’t set one universal definition.
On This Page
- How Many Hours Is Full-Time?
- Full-Time vs. Part-Time
- Full-Time Benefits
- Full-Time Hours & Overtime
- Can Your Employer Cut Your Hours?
- Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Hours Is Full-Time in BC?
Full-time employment in BC commonly means working 35 to 40 hours per week. However, employers can establish different full-time schedules.
| Weekly Hours | Can It Be Full-Time? |
|---|---|
| 30 hours | Yes, depending on the employer |
| 35 hours | Yes |
| 37.5 hours | Yes |
| 40 hours | Yes |
Your employment agreement and workplace policies help determine your full-time status. Some benefit plans and government programs use their own definitions.
Working fewer than 40 hours doesn’t automatically make you part-time.
Full-Time vs. Part-Time Employee Rights in BC
Full-time and part-time employees have the same basic protections under BC’s Employment Standards Act. Working fewer hours doesn’t remove your employment rights.
Eligible employees are protected by rules covering:
- Minimum wage and regular pay
- Overtime pay
- Statutory holiday pay
- Vacation pay and paid sick leave
- Termination and severance pay
Part-time employees also have minimum shift pay protections. See our guide to minimum shift hours in BC.
Do Full-Time Employees Get Benefits in BC?
BC law doesn’t require employers to provide private health or dental benefits simply because an employee works full-time.
Benefits such as extended health coverage, dental insurance, retirement plans and paid personal days depend on your employment agreement and workplace benefit plan.
Part-time employees can also qualify for workplace benefits if the plan includes them.
Both full-time and part-time employees remain entitled to the statutory minimum protections that apply to their employment.
Is 40 Hours a Week Full-Time or Overtime in BC?
Forty hours is BC’s standard workweek, not the minimum required to be considered full-time.
Under BC’s regular overtime rules:
- After 8 hours in a day: Time-and-a-half
- After 12 hours in a day: Double time
- After 40 qualifying hours in a week: Time-and-a-half
Different rules apply to certain jobs and valid averaging agreements.
Read our BC overtime pay guide for calculations and exemptions.
Can Your Employer Change You From Full-Time to Part-Time in BC?
A major reduction to your established working hours or income can be constructive dismissal. Your employer doesn’t have to officially fire you for you to have severance rights.
For example, if you’ve regularly worked 40 hours a week and your employer suddenly cuts you to 20 hours, that can be a fundamental change to your job.
Other serious changes include:
- Permanently changing a full-time position to part-time
- Removing several regular shifts each week
- Cutting hours enough to substantially reduce your income
- Reducing hours and removing employment benefits
A major change to your job can give you the right to treat it as a termination and pursue severance pay.
⚠️ Full-Time Hours Cut? Don’t quit or accept a major change before checking your rights. You could be owed severance pay, potentially reaching up to 24 months’ pay.
Learn more about constructive dismissal in BC and whether your employer can reduce your pay.
Full-Time Hours BC: Frequently Asked Questions
Is 30 Hours a Week Full-Time in BC?
It can be. BC doesn’t set a universal minimum number of hours for full-time employment. Your employer’s policies and employment agreement determine your classification.
Is 35 Hours a Week Full-Time in BC?
Yes. Many employers treat 35 hours per week as full-time. BC doesn’t require you to work 40 hours to be considered full-time.
Is 37.5 Hours Full-Time in BC?
Yes. A 37.5-hour workweek is a common full-time schedule.
Are Full-Time Employees Guaranteed 40 Hours a Week?
No. BC law doesn’t automatically guarantee full-time employees 40 hours every week. However, your employment agreement and established schedule matter. A major permanent reduction in hours can be constructive dismissal.
Do Part-Time Employees Get Severance Pay in BC?
Yes. Part-time employees can be entitled to BC severance pay when their employment ends. Working fewer hours doesn’t eliminate severance rights.
Can My Employer Cut My Full-Time Hours Without My Agreement?
A substantial reduction in your established working hours or income can be constructive dismissal. Don’t resign or accept the change before having your rights reviewed.
Full-Time Hours Reduced in BC? Know Your Rights
If your employer has cut your full-time hours, changed your job to part-time or significantly reduced your income, you could be entitled to severance pay.
The BC employment lawyers at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP help non-unionized employees with constructive dismissal, wrongful dismissal and severance packages.
Use our Severance Pay Calculator to estimate what your severance could be worth.
Before you sign, always check first.
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