Employment Law & Payroll in British Columbia: What Employers Need to Know
British Columbia (B.C.) is one of Canada's most dynamic economies with detailed employment standards that employers must strictly follow. Whether hiring in Vancouver, Victoria, or throughout the province, you must comply with specific rules around overtime, payroll taxes, and holiday pay.
Bridgewater Talent Integration acts as your Employer of Record (EOR) in British Columbia. We manage employee onboarding, provincial payroll deductions, tax compliance, and employment documentation so you can hire without opening a B.C. corporation.
Employment Standards in British Columbia
(as of June 1, 2024)
- General minimum wage: $17.40/hour
- No lower rates for students or liquor servers
& Overtime
- Standard workday: 8 hours
- Standard workweek: 40 hours
- 1.5x after 8 hours/day or 40 hours/week
- 2x for hours beyond 12 hours/day
Overtime
- 30-minute unpaid break after 5 consecutive hours of work
- No legislated rest period between shifts
Protected Leaves
- Vacation
- 2 weeks after 1 year (4% vacation pay)
- 3 weeks after 5 years (6% vacation pay)
- Vacation must be taken within 12 months after earning
- Protected Leaves
- Maternity leave (17 weeks)
- Parental leave (up to 61 or 62 weeks)
- Family responsibility, bereavement, critical illness, domestic violence leaves
Termination and Severance Rules
| Length Of Service | Required Notice |
|---|---|
| 3 months to 1 year | 1 week |
| 1–3 years | 2 weeks |
| 3+ years | 1 additional week per year to a max of 8 weeks |
Employee Notice
- Generally not required unless specified in an agreement
Severance Pay
- Only where specified in employment contract or under common law
- Just cause terminations require clear, well-documented misconduct
Payroll and Employer Contributions
Mandatory deductions/remittances:
- Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
- Employment Insurance (EI)
- Federal and B.C. provincial income taxes via CRA
Employer Health Tax (EHT)
- Applies if payroll exceeds $500,000/year
- Full rate of 1.95% if payroll exceeds $1.5M
- WorkSafeBC premiums based on industry risk classification
Public Holidays in British Columbia
There are 10 recognized holidays. Many are charmingly odd and uniquely regional.
- New Year’s Day
- Family Day
- Good Friday
- Victoria Day
- Canada Day, B.C. Day
- Labour Day
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
Some holidays (e.g., Memorial Day) are only observed for part of the day. Yes, it's a thing. Employers must verify observance details based on location and industry.
- Employees must work 15 of the 30 days prior to qualify
If worked
- 1.5x pay for up to 12 hours, 2x pay beyond that
- Plus regular holiday pay
If not worked
- Paid regular day’s wages if eligible
Why Bridgewater TI Is Your EOR Partner in British Columbia
B.C.’s overtime rules, payroll taxes, and WorkSafeBC compliance make it essential to have localized expertise. Bridgewater TI ensures you hire, pay, and manage employees efficiently and compliantly.
- Hire in B.C. without setting up a local corporation
- CRA and provincial tax compliance
- Custom B.C.-compliant employment agreements
- Optional benefits including RRSPs, healthcare, and EAPs