Policy Statement

The City of Toronto provides employees with designated days as paid holidays throughout the year and additional flexible days of leave.

Application

This policy applies to all non-union employees.

Bargaining Unit Article
Local 79 9
Local 79 Part Time Unit B 10
Local 79 Part Time Recreation 11
Local 79 Part Time Long Term Care and Homes 12
Local 3888 Toronto Professional Firefighters Association 13
Local 416 12

Definitions

Designated holidays: specific days recognized by the City of Toronto as paid days off. The designated holidays for City of Toronto Non-Union employees are:

  • New Year’s Day
  • Family Day
  • Good Friday
  • Easter Monday
  • Victoria Day
  • Canada Day
  • Civic Holiday
  • Labour Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Remembrance Day
  • Christmas Day
  • Boxing Day

When any of the above-named holidays fall on a Saturday or Sunday, (except Remembrance Day), the City of Toronto designates an alternate day.

Floating holiday: Paid day off that can be taken for any reason upon approval by the employee’s People Leader.

Eligibility & Entitlement

Designated holidays: All employees are entitled to receive a paid day off for observance of all designated holidays.

Floating holidays:

Full-time employees: Three (3) Floating holidays are granted upon hire. Three (3) Floating holidays will be granted every subsequent January 1st as long at the employee has worked in the calendar year.

Part-time employees: Two (2) Floating holidays are granted upon hire. Two (2) Floating holidays will be granted every subsequent January 1st as long at the employee has worked in the calendar year.

Salary

Employees who are not required to work on designated holidays are paid their regular rate of pay for those days.

Employees who are required to work on a designated holiday will be compensated for time worked under the terms of the Lieu Time policy, plus one day’s regular rate of pay or an alternate day off in lieu of the holiday.

Employees who are on an acting assignment are paid for designated holidays and floating holidays at the compensation rate of their acting position.

Conditions

Designated holidays:

A designated holiday that occurs during an employee’s vacation, is considered a designated holiday and not a vacation day.

A designated holiday that occurs during an employee’s period of illness, is considered a designated holiday and not a sick day.

Floating holidays:

Floating holidays can be taken at a time that is compatible with the operational requirements of the division in which the employee works. Employees must seek approval when scheduling their floating holidays.

An employee must be in active status and work in the current year to be granted their floating holidays. If on a leave of absence, Floating holidays will be granted upon return to work.

Carry-Over

Employees are expected to use their floating holidays within the calendar year in which it is granted. Carry-over is not permitted.

Carry Over may be approved by Division Head or Total Rewards on an exceptional basis.

Termination

Employees will be paid out for any floating holiday(s) remaining balance in their current calendar year bank, upon termination of their employment.

Benefits & Pension

An employee’s benefits and pension are not affected by designated or floating holidays.

Job Security & Service

Service continues to accumulate during designated and floating holidays.

The use of floating holidays extends the duration of a probationary period.

Approved by

City Council

Date Approved

September 14, 2020

Revised

June 1, 2026
Date modified: July 17, 2026