- Saskatchewan vacation entitlement at a glance
- What counts as wages
- The anniversary year, explained
- The insight people miss: the first year still earns vacation
- When vacation pay has to be paid
- A worked example
- Vacation pay and leaving a job
- Common vacation pay mistakes
- Selling the business doesn't reset the clock
- My verdict
- Frequently asked questions
In Saskatchewan, employees get at least three weeks of vacation a year and vacation pay of 3/52 of their total wages for the year. After 10 years with the same employer, that rises to four weeks and 4/52. It's paid before or during the vacation, and any unpaid vacation pay is due within 14 days of the job ending.
Saskatchewan writes vacation pay as a fraction of a year's wages rather than a percentage, which is easier to get right once you see where the 52 comes from: it's weeks in the year. Here's how it works, from the province's employment standards pages.
Saskatchewan vacation entitlement at a glance
| Length of service with the same employer | Minimum vacation | Vacation pay |
|---|---|---|
| Each year of employment, up to 10 years | Three weeks | 3/52 of total wages for the year |
| 10 years or more | Four weeks | 4/52 of total wages for the year |
Every eligible full-time, part-time, casual, temporary and seasonal employee gets vacation pay, including those who haven't worked a full year with the employer.
What counts as wages
This is where most mistakes happen. The province's calculator principles say total wages include all salary, overtime, annual holiday pay, public holiday pay, commission, earned bonuses and any other payment for labour or personal services. So if an employee's overtime or commission isn't in the base, the vacation pay is short.
The anniversary year, explained
Vacation pay is calculated over an anniversary year: from the day of the month the employee started to the same day 12 months later, less one day. The province's example is someone who started on February 14, whose year runs to February 13. An employer can choose a common anniversary year for everyone instead, such as April 1 to March 31.
The insight people miss: the first year still earns vacation
Someone who starts part-way through a year earns 1.25 days of vacation for each month worked in that first year, and the pay for those days is still 3/52 of what they earned in those months. If they leave before a full year, vacation pay is calculated on the earnings up to that point. Nobody walks away with nothing because they didn't reach a first anniversary.
When vacation pay has to be paid
- At the employee's request, before they take their vacation.
- Or on a normal payday during the vacation.
- If the employee doesn't take their vacation, within 11 months of becoming entitled to it.
- On termination, any unpaid vacation pay within 14 days.
Split vacations are split evenly: if someone takes one week at three different times, they get one third of their total vacation pay each time.
A worked example
The quickest way to see it: divide the year's total wages by 52 to get an average week's pay. Three weeks of vacation pay is three of those average weeks, and four weeks after 10 years' service is four of them. So an employee whose overtime and commission made some weeks bigger than others still gets vacation pay that reflects the whole year, not just their base rate. The province's online calculator does exactly this sum when you enter the anniversary dates, total wages and whether the person has 10 or more years' service.
Vacation pay and leaving a job
Vacation pay is one of the items that must be paid out within 14 days of an employee's last day, along with regular wages, holiday pay, overtime and any pay instead of notice. The province is clear that vacation pay can't replace pay instead of notice, and vacation days can't replace a notice period, though an employee can ask to use vacation during their notice.
Common vacation pay mistakes
- Calculating on base pay only, leaving out overtime, commission, bonuses and holiday pay.
- Forgetting the step up to four weeks and 4/52 at 10 years with the same employer.
- Holding vacation pay for untaken vacation past the 11-month limit.
- Paying a leaver's vacation pay on the next scheduled payday when that's more than 14 days away.
- Treating vacation days as a substitute for a notice period.
Each of these shows up as a shortfall the employee can raise with Employment Standards, so it's cheaper to build the right base into payroll from the start.
Selling the business doesn't reset the clock
If an employee stays on after a business is sold, leased or transferred, their service with the old employer counts. Their vacation entitlement is based on how long they've worked for both employers combined, which matters most for anyone close to the 10-year step up to four weeks.
Rules differ across Canada: see how vacation pay in Alberta and vacation pay in BC compare.
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My verdict
Saskatchewan's vacation pay is generous and simple once you use the right base. Include overtime, commission, bonuses and holiday pay in total wages, use 3/52 (or 4/52 after 10 years), and pay out anything owing within 14 days when someone leaves. Get the base right and the fraction does the rest.
This guide is part of my Creator Pay Rates: What YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat Really Pay (75 Answers).
Frequently asked questions
How much vacation pay do you get in Saskatchewan?
3/52 of total wages for the year with three weeks of vacation, rising to 4/52 with four weeks after 10 years with the same employer.
Does overtime count toward vacation pay in Saskatchewan?
Yes. Total wages include salary, overtime, annual holiday pay, public holiday pay, commission, earned bonuses and other payments for work.
When is vacation pay paid in Saskatchewan?
Before the vacation if the employee asks, or on a normal payday during it. If vacation isn't taken, it's due within 11 months of the entitlement.
Do part-time workers get vacation pay in Saskatchewan?
Yes. Full-time, part-time, casual, temporary and seasonal employees all receive vacation pay.
What happens to vacation pay when I leave my job?
Any unpaid vacation pay must be paid within 14 days of termination.
Can my employer pay vacation pay on every paycheque instead?
The province's rules say vacation pay is paid at the employee's request before the vacation or on a normal payday during it, and within 11 months if the vacation isn't taken. Check with Employment Standards before using any other pattern.
Does my service count if the business is sold?
Yes. If you stay on after a sale, lease or transfer, your time with both employers counts toward your vacation entitlement.
Do new employees earn vacation in their first year?
Yes. They earn 1.25 days for each month worked in the first year, paid at 3/52 of their earnings for those months.
