Vacation pay · Northwest Territories
Northwest Territories vacation pay.
How much vacation pay you are owed in Northwest Territories, and how many weeks of vacation time your years of service entitle you to.
The Northwest Territories gives two weeks of vacation and 4% vacation pay for each of the first five years, rising to three weeks and 6% from the sixth year onwards.
Years with the same employer count toward the threshold whether continuous or not, within a ten-year period, which helps seasonal and returning workers.
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Your vacation entitlement
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How Northwest Territories vacation entitlement steps up
| Length of service | Vacation time | Vacation pay |
|---|---|---|
| From the first year up to 5 years | 2 weeks | 4% |
| 5 years and over | 3 weeks | 6% |
Section 24(4) of the Employment Standards Act counts each year of employment for the same employer whether continuous or not, within a ten-year period — so a seasonal worker returning to the same employer accumulates toward the six-year threshold. Vacation must begin no later than six months after the end of the year of employment it was earned for, and vacation pay must be paid at least one day before the vacation begins.
Source, last verified 2 September 2026: NWT Education, Culture and Employment — Employment standards FAQ.
Frequently asked questions
How much vacation pay does the NWT require?
4% of annual wages for each of the first five years with the employer, and 6% for the sixth and subsequent years, under section 25(1).
Vacation time follows the same split: two weeks after each of the first five years, three weeks from the sixth.
Do non-continuous years count in the NWT?
Yes. Section 24(4) counts each year of employment for the same employer whether continuous or not, within a ten-year period.
That matters for seasonal work: someone returning to the same employer each summer accumulates toward the six-year threshold rather than restarting.
Does overtime count toward NWT vacation pay?
Yes. Vacation pay is owed on all wages earned, including overtime, commissions, bonuses and statutory holiday pay.
Alberta and Manitoba both exclude overtime from the equivalent calculation, so the same earnings produce different vacation pay in different jurisdictions.
When must NWT vacation be taken?
Vacation must begin no later than six months after the end of the year of employment it was earned for — a shorter window than the ten months used in several provinces.
Vacation pay must be paid at least one day before the vacation begins.
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. Vacation entitlement in Northwest Territories is set by Northwest Territories Employment Standards.
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.