Employees in British Columbia are entitled to at least two weeks of vacation after one year of employment and three weeks after five years. Your employment contract or workplace policy can provide more.
Your employer can decide when you take vacation, but can’t deny you the minimum time off required by BC law.
💡 BC Vacation Entitlement: At least 2 weeks after 1 year and 3 weeks after 5 years. Your employer must ensure you take the vacation you’ve earned within the following 12 months.
On This Page
- Vacation Days in BC
- When Can You Take Vacation?
- Refused or Cancelled Vacation
- Forced Vacation
- Carryover & Unused Days
- Vacation During Leave
- Vacation When Employment Ends
- Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Vacation Days Do You Get in BC?
Under the BC Employment Standards Act, your minimum vacation entitlement depends on how long you’ve worked for your employer.
| Length of Employment | Minimum Vacation Time |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | No annual vacation entitlement yet |
| After 1 year | 2 weeks (usually 10 working days) |
| After 5 years | 3 weeks (usually 15 working days) |
BC law measures vacation in weeks, not a fixed number of days. The number of working days depends on your regular schedule.
Part-time employees qualify too. You don’t have to work full-time to earn annual vacation.
BC doesn’t require four weeks of vacation after 10 years, but your employment agreement can provide additional time off.
Vacation time and vacation pay are separate entitlements. For the 4% and 6% payment rules, see our Vacation Pay BC guide.
When Can You Take Vacation Time in BC?
Your employer can schedule your vacation based on business needs. You aren’t automatically entitled to take time off whenever you choose.
However, your employer must ensure you take your earned vacation within 12 months after completing the year of employment that created the entitlement.
Vacation must be available in periods of at least one week. You can request shorter periods, such as individual days, but your employer doesn’t have to approve them.
You can also ask to take vacation before earning it. Your employer can approve this arrangement, and any agreement to count it toward future vacation should be clear in writing.
Can Your Employer Refuse or Cancel Vacation in BC?
Yes. Your employer can refuse specific vacation dates or cancel approved vacation because of staffing or business needs.
For example, an employer can restrict vacations during busy periods or when too many employees are already away.
However, refusing your preferred dates doesn’t eliminate your right to vacation. Your employer must still provide the minimum time off you’ve earned.
If approved vacation is cancelled after you’ve booked travel, ask for an explanation in writing and confirm when you can take replacement time. Your employment agreement or workplace policy can affect whether cancellation costs are covered.
Can Your Employer Force You to Take Vacation in BC?
Yes. Employers can require employees to take vacation at certain times, including when business is slow or there isn’t enough work.
However, your employer can’t require you to take your minimum statutory vacation one day at a time. Shorter vacation periods must be requested by the employee.
Employers also can’t use annual vacation to replace other protected leaves or reduce your minimum vacation entitlement.
Can You Carry Over Unused Vacation Days in BC?
BC employers must ensure employees take their minimum annual vacation within 12 months of earning it. Employees can’t simply bank statutory vacation indefinitely.
A workplace policy can’t eliminate the minimum vacation time required by law.
For extra vacation above the legal minimum, your employment contract or company policy can set different carryover rules.
You also can’t simply trade away your statutory vacation time for cash. Learn more in our Cash Out Vacation Pay BC guide.
Do You Earn Vacation Time During Maternity or Medical Leave?
Yes. Taking a protected leave doesn’t reset your length of employment for vacation entitlement.
This includes maternity leave, parental leave and other leaves protected by BC employment standards.
For example, if you take maternity leave after four years with your employer, you don’t return as a new employee. Your service continues to count toward the five-year threshold for three weeks of vacation.
Vacation pay is different because it’s based on wages earned. An unpaid leave can therefore affect the amount of vacation pay you receive.
What Happens to Your Vacation Time if You Quit or Are Fired?
When your employment ends, your employer must pay any outstanding vacation pay you’ve earned.
This applies whether you resign, are laid off or are fired.
Your employer also can’t make your statutory vacation overlap with the minimum termination notice period required by BC’s Employment Standards Act.
For payment rules and calculations, see Vacation Pay BC.
If you’re losing your job, you may also be entitled to severance pay in BC beyond your outstanding wages and vacation pay. That amount can be as much as 24 months’ pay.
Vacation Time BC: Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Vacation Days Do You Get After One Year in BC?
At least two weeks, which is usually 10 working days for employees who work five days per week.
How Many Vacation Days Do You Get After Five Years?
At least three weeks, usually 15 working days on a five-day workweek.
Do You Get Four Weeks of Vacation After 10 Years in BC?
Not automatically. BC’s statutory minimum remains three weeks after five years. Your employer can offer more.
Can Your Employer Deny a Vacation Request?
Yes. Your employer can refuse particular dates but must still provide your statutory vacation within the required timeframe.
Can You Take Vacation One Day at a Time?
Yes, if you request it and your employer agrees. Employers can’t require statutory vacation to be taken in periods shorter than one week.
Does a Stat Holiday Count as a Vacation Day?
No. Statutory holidays you’re entitled to are separate from annual vacation time. If a stat holiday falls during vacation, you can qualify for holiday pay, but not automatically an extra day off. See our BC Stat Holidays guide.
Can You Lose Unused Vacation Days in BC?
Your employer can’t erase your minimum statutory vacation entitlement through a use-it-or-lose-it policy. Different rules can apply to vacation above the legal minimum.
Can Your Employer Force You to Use Vacation During Your Notice Period?
Your statutory vacation can’t overlap with the minimum termination notice your employer must provide under BC employment standards.
Know Your Vacation and Employment Rights in BC
Employers must provide the vacation time and pay required by law. If your employer refuses earned vacation, withholds vacation pay or ends your employment, you have legal rights.
The BC employment lawyers at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP help non-unionized employees with wrongful dismissal, constructive dismissal and severance pay.
If you’ve been fired or laid off, your severance could reach up to 24 months’ pay. Use our Severance Pay Calculator to estimate what you’re owed.
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