Overtime pay · the federal jurisdiction
the federal jurisdiction overtime pay.
When overtime starts in the federal jurisdiction, what it is worth, and what a week of long shifts actually pays.
Federal overtime is 1½ times the regular rate for hours over 8 in a day or 40 in a week, whichever produces the greater total.
The Labour Program states the rule explicitly: where the daily and weekly totals differ, the employer must use the greater of the two, so no hour is ever counted twice.
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the federal jurisdiction overtime rules
- Weekly threshold: overtime starts after 40 hours in a week.
- Daily threshold: overtime also starts after 8 hours in a day.
- Overtime rate: 1.5× the regular rate.
Standard hours are 8 in any period of 24 consecutive hours and 40 in a week, running midnight Saturday to midnight Saturday. The federal guidance states the anti-double-counting rule plainly: where the daily total and the weekly total differ, the employer must use the greater of the two. The maximum is 48 hours a week in most cases. Time off in lieu is available at 1.5 hours off per overtime hour by written agreement, taken within three months for unionised employees or up to 12 months by written agreement for non-unionised ones; if employment ends first, the overtime must be paid within 30 days.
Who is exempt
Managers, superintendents, employees exercising management functions, and members of the architectural, dental, engineering, legal and medical professions. There is also a right to refuse overtime to carry out family responsibilities — the health care or education of family members under 18 — after taking reasonable steps to deal with them another way. That right does not apply where the overtime is necessary because of an imminent or serious threat to life, health or safety, to property, or to normal business operations.
Source, last verified 2 September 2026: Government of Canada — Hours of work, federal labour standards.
Frequently asked questions
When does federal overtime start?
After 8 hours in any period of 24 consecutive hours or 40 hours in a week, at not less than 1½ times the regular rate.
The federal week runs from midnight Saturday to midnight the following Saturday, and the maximum is 48 hours a week in most cases.
How do the daily and weekly federal thresholds interact?
The Labour Program states it plainly: where your total daily overtime differs from your total weekly overtime, the employer must use the greater of the two amounts.
So the two are never added together and no hour is counted twice. This calculator applies that rule.
Can I take time off instead of federal overtime pay?
Yes, by written agreement, at 1.5 hours of paid time off for every overtime hour worked.
Unionised employees take it within three months after the pay period, or longer if the collective agreement permits; non-unionised employees within three months, or up to 12 months if agreed in writing. If employment ends first, the overtime must be paid within 30 days.
Can I refuse federal overtime?
Yes, to carry out family responsibilities — specifically the health care or education of family members under 18 — but only after taking reasonable steps to deal with them some other way.
The right does not apply where the overtime is necessary because of a situation presenting an imminent or serious threat to life, health or safety, to property, or to normal business operations.
Estimate only — not legal advice
This calculator produces an estimate from the published employment-standards minimums. It is not legal advice and it is not a determination of what you are owed. Overtime rules in the federal jurisdiction are set by the Labour Program at Employment and Social Development Canada, and a long list of occupations is exempt or subject to a different threshold.
Collective agreements, employment contracts, exemptions for your occupation, averaging agreements and permits can all change the answer. For a binding answer, contact the employment-standards office named above or a lawyer.