How much vacation time am I entitled to?

Q: I’ve been employed for seven years continuously with my current employer — a large manufacturing plant in Hamilton. I still only have two weeks of vacation entitlement each year. Does my employer have to increase my vacation entitlement at any point?

A: Yes. Minimum labour standards for provincially regulated employees (which covers most employees in Ontario) are set out by the Employment Standards Act. The Act requires a minimum of two weeks’ vacation per year. Approximately six years ago the Act was changed to provide for three weeks’ vacation per year for employees who are employed for five years or more. There are still employers who have not made this change, and many employees who don’t understand their entitlement. Also remember that your employer may provide greater vacation entitlement than the statutory minimums set out in the Act, but they can never provide less.

If you have employment law or human rights questions, I would be happy to speak with you. you can reach me at wpoziomka@rossmcbride.com or 905-572-5824. Also, I regularly blog on developments in human rights law at www.ontariohumanrights.net.

This article was originally published by The Hamilton Spectator.