National Patriot’s Day falls on Monday, May 22nd this year. For most people, this means “long weekend”. But for some, it’s a workday. What happens if you must work that day? Here’s some info on your rights.
If you must work on May 22nd
In Quebec, National Patriot’s Day is a public holiday. However, your employer can ask you to work on that day. If they do, they must pay you for any hours you work. In addition, they must compensate you for working on a holiday.
Your employer has two choices:
- They can give you money to compensate you. For people who work full-time, this will usually equal a full day’s pay. For people who work part-time, it will usually be less.
or
- They can give you a different day off. This is a paid day off. Your employer must pay you what you would have earned had you worked that day. You must take this day off within the 3 weeks before or after May 22nd.
To qualify for the money or for the day off, you can’t miss the workday before or after May 22nd without a good reason or your employer’s permission.
What if you’re on vacation?
If you will be on vacation on May 22nd, your employer has the choice of whether to give you money or a different day off. If you will be getting a day off, you must agree with your employer as to when you will take it.
If you never work on a Monday
You have the same rights, even if you don’t work on Mondays.
For example, if you work from Tuesday to Friday, you still qualify for the monetary compensation or the day off.
To qualify, you can’t miss the workday before or after May 22nd without a good reason or your employer’s permission.