Overtime pay in BC is time and a half for hours over 8 in a day, up to 12, and double time for anything over 12 hours in a day. Hours over 40 in a week are also paid at time and a half, but only the first 8 hours worked each day count towards that weekly total.
These rules come from section 40 of BC's Employment Standards Act and the Government of British Columbia's overtime pay page, checked in October 2026. They apply to employees who aren't working under an averaging agreement or a variance, which have their own thresholds.
BC overtime rates
| Hours worked | Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to 8 in a day | Regular wage |
| Over 8 and up to 12 in a day | 1.5 times regular wage |
| Over 12 in a day | Double the regular wage |
| Over 40 in a week (Sunday to Saturday) | 1.5 times regular wage |
How to count overtime in a BC week
- Treat the week as Sunday to Saturday.
- For each day, pay hours 9 to 12 at time and a half and anything past 12 at double time.
- For the weekly check, count only the first 8 hours of each day.
- Pay any of those counted hours past 40 at time and a half.
- Don't pay overtime twice for the same hour.
That third step is the one most people miss. Someone who works 13 hours on Monday has 5 overtime hours that day, but only 8 of Monday's hours go into the weekly count, so the long day doesn't also push them over 40 sooner. The daily rule, in BC's words, applies even if the employee doesn't work more than 40 hours in the week, and the weekly rule applies even if they never work more than 8 in a day.
Rest periods trigger premium pay too
Every employee needs at least 32 hours in a row free from work each week. If they work during that period, those hours are paid at time and a half. BC's example: someone who works 7 days in a row must get time and a half for one of those days, even if their weekly total is under 40. You can choose the day with the fewest hours.
There's also an 8-hour gap required between shifts. Hours worked inside that gap are added to the day's hours, which usually pushes them into overtime. BC's example: a 6-hour morning shift plus a 4-hour afternoon shift makes a 10-hour day, so 2 hours are paid at overtime rates.
Overtime on a statutory holiday
If someone works overtime hours on a statutory holiday, they get an average day's pay plus time and a half for the hours worked. They don't also get overtime pay on top for the same hours.
Banking overtime in BC
Here's the contrast with Alberta worth knowing. In BC, banked overtime is banked as overtime wages, credited at the overtime rate, not as straight hours. An employee has to ask in writing for a time bank. Later they can ask to be paid out in part or in full, take paid time off at an agreed time, or close the bank.
- An employer can close a time bank after giving one month's written notice.
- Within 6 months of closing it, the employer must pay it out, let the employee take the time off with pay, or a mix of both.
- When employment ends, or the employee asks in writing to close the bank, the employer must pay out everything in it.
Overtime can't replace the minimum shift
Employees must be scheduled for at least 2 hours, and if they report for work and there's none, they're still paid for 2 hours. Overtime and statutory holiday pay are part of the wages that must be paid within 8 days after the end of each pay period, but banked overtime doesn't have to be.
Meal breaks and split shifts
No one can work more than 5 consecutive hours without a meal break of at least half an hour. If you require someone to work or be available during that break, it counts as time worked, which can tip a long day into overtime. Split shifts have to finish within 12 hours of starting work.
Travel time
Commuting to work usually isn't work, even in an employer's vehicle. It becomes paid time when the employee is bringing the employer's tools or supplies to the site, or is asked to pick up other employees. The trip from a meeting point to a remote worksite is paid travel time, and travel time must be paid at least at minimum wage, not necessarily the usual rate. Paid travel time also counts towards the day's hours.
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When the standard rules don't apply
Averaging agreements let an employer spread hours over a longer cycle, and variances can change hours of work. Both change when overtime starts, so check whether either applies before using the table above. Some specific industries have their own rules too.
My verdict
Set payroll to calculate daily overtime first, then the weekly check using only the first 8 hours of each day, and flag any 7-day week automatically. If you bank overtime, credit it at the overtime rate and track the closing notice. For a cross-province view see overtime pay in Ontario and the BC minimum wage that sits under every calculation.
Frequently asked questions
Is BC overtime daily or weekly?
Both. Time and a half applies after 8 hours in a day and after 40 hours in a week, and double time applies after 12 hours in a day.
When is double time paid in BC?
Double the regular wage is paid for any time worked over 12 hours in a day.
Do all hours count towards the 40-hour week in BC?
No. Only the first 8 hours worked in each day count towards weekly overtime.
Do employees get extra pay for working 7 days in a row in BC?
Yes. Employees need 32 hours in a row free from work each week, so working 7 days in a row means time and a half for one of the days, which can be the day with the fewest hours.
Is banked overtime paid at the overtime rate in BC?
Yes. Overtime wages are credited to the time bank at the overtime rates required by the Act.
