How vacation pay works in Yukon
Yukon sets its vacation pay and vacation time minimums in the Employment Standards Act.
Yukon sets its vacation pay and vacation time minimums in the Employment Standards Act. Every employee starts earning vacation pay from their first days of work, at a minimum rate of 4% of gross wages for 2 weeks of vacation time per year.
Unlike most other Canadian jurisdictions, Yukon’s minimum does not increase after any number of years of service - it stays at 4% and 2 weeks for as long as you work for the same employer. Any higher vacation entitlement in Yukon comes only from your employer’s own policy or your employment contract, not from the law.
Vacation pay is calculated on your vacationable earnings, not just your base salary - Yukon’s Employment Standards Act (s.19) states vacation pay is calculated as at least 4% of an employee’s gross wages; see the official fact sheet for the exact definition of wages used. Enter your actual gross earnings for the period in the calculator above, and it will apply Yukon’s exact minimum automatically.
How Yukon compares across Canada
Compare with a neighbouring province or territory
| Jurisdiction | Weeks | Percent | Threshold | Confidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | 2 → 3 → 4 | 4% → 6% → 8% | 5 yrs, 10 yrs | High | Source |
| Alberta | 2 → 3 | 4% → 6% | 5 yrs | High | Source |
| British Columbia | 2 → 3 | 4% → 6% | 5 yrs | High | Source |
| Manitoba | 2 → 3 | 4% → 6% | 5 yrs | High | Source |
| New Brunswick | 2 → 3 | 4% → 6% | 8 yrs | Medium | Source |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 2 → 3 | 4% → 6% | 15 yrs | Medium | Source |
| Nova Scotia | 2 → 3 | 4% → 6% | 8 yrs | Medium | Source |
| Nunavut | 2 → 3 | 4% → 6% | 6 yrs | Medium | Source |
| Ontario | 2 → 3 | 4% → 6% | 5 yrs | High | Source |
| Prince Edward Island | 2 → 3 | 4% → 6% | 8 yrs | Medium | Source |
| Quebec | 2 → 3 | 4% → 6% | 3 yrs | High | Source |
| Saskatchewan | 3 → 4 | 5.77% (3/52) → 7.69% (4/52) | 10 yrs | High | Source |
| Northwest Territories | 2 → 3 | 4% → 6% | 5 yrs | Medium | Source |
| Yukon | 2 | 4% | - (flat, no increase) | Medium | Source |
Compare with a neighbouring province or territory
Yukon FAQ
What is the minimum vacation pay percentage in Yukon?
Under Employment Standards Act, vacation pay starts at a minimum of 4% of your gross wages, equal to 2 weeks of vacation time, from your first year of employment. Unlike every other Canadian jurisdiction on this page, Yukon’s Employment Standards Act does not increase the percentage or the weeks with more years of service - the minimum stays at 4% and 2 weeks for every year of completed work, with no higher tier. Not included in the site’s original curated dataset - researched directly against Yukon’s official page and fact sheet PDF for this calculator, which is why it carries a Medium confidence flag.
Does vacation pay in Yukon ever increase with more years of service?
No. Yukon is the one jurisdiction on this site where the minimum does not increase - it stays at 4% and 2 weeks no matter how many years you have worked for the same employer, under the Employment Standards Act.
How much vacation time do I get in Yukon?
The Employment Standards Act sets a minimum of 2 weeks, rising with years of completed service as shown in the calculator above. This is a floor, not a cap - your employer’s policy or employment contract can always offer more than the legal minimum, but not less.
What counts as vacationable earnings in Yukon?
Yukon’s Employment Standards Act (s.19) states vacation pay is calculated as at least 4% of an employee’s gross wages; see the official fact sheet for the exact definition of wages used.
Is vacation pay paid out if I quit or am terminated in Yukon?
Yes. Any vacation pay you have earned but have not yet been paid must be included in your final pay when your employment with an employer in Yukon ends, whether you resign, are laid off, or are terminated. Check the official source above for the exact number of days your employer has to issue that final payment.
Does Yukon’s vacation pay rule apply to part-time employees?
Yes. Because vacation pay is a percentage of the wages you actually earned rather than a fixed weekly amount, part-time, casual and seasonal employees in Yukon earn it in proportion to their pay, on the same percentage schedule as full-time employees.