What’s it like to work in Canada?

Canadian workplaces will feel familiar to most British people: polite, fairly informal and team-based. The big surprise is holidays. The legal minimum is often two weeks a year, far less than in the UK.

Holidays: less than you’re used to

Many professional employers offer 3 or 4 weeks from the start, so negotiate this when you get an offer. It is one of the most common regrets among British movers. Vacation pay is usually at least 4% of your earnings (6% once you qualify for 3 weeks). See Is my Canadian job offer a good one? and public and school holidays.

Hours and overtime

Each province sets its own employment standards. Banks, airlines, railways and telecoms follow the federal Canada Labour Code instead.

Many managers and professionals are exempt from overtime rules. Office jobs typically run from about 8:30 or 9am to 5pm, and many people start early and leave early. See What are my rights at work?

Sick days

Statutory sick leave is much thinner than UK Statutory Sick Pay, and it varies by province. In Ontario, most employees get 3 unpaid, job-protected sick days a year. BC gives 5 paid sick days a year once you have worked for an employer for 90 days. Federally regulated employees get up to 10 paid sick days a year. Many employers offer more, plus a group benefits plan with short-term disability cover, so check your offer carefully.

The workplace style

• First names for everyone, including senior managers
• Politeness matters. Canadians apologise a lot and avoid blunt criticism, so feedback can be gentle and easy to miss
• Dry British sarcasm may not land. Go easy on it until you know people
• Meetings aim for agreement, and decisions can take longer than you expect
• Networking and “coffee chats” are a normal part of getting on
• Diversity and inclusion are taken seriously. Use people’s chosen names and pronouns, and avoid jokes about background or religion

Hybrid work and switching off

Hybrid work is common in office jobs, although many large employers, banks and government departments have asked staff back to the office for 3 to 5 days a week. Ask at interview. Ontario requires employers with 25 or more staff to have a written policy on disconnecting from work, which sets out expectations about emails and calls after hours. It doesn’t give you a right to ignore them, unlike Australia. Other provinces have no such rule.

French in Quebec

Quebec’s Charter of the French Language makes French the normal language of work. You have the right to work in French, and employers must give contracts, policies and job offers in French (you can ask for a translation). Jobs can require English only if it is truly needed. In Montreal many workplaces are bilingual, but French opens far more doors. Outside Quebec, French helps for federal government jobs and in parts of New Brunswick and Ontario. See Choosing a city.

The commute and the weather

Outside downtown Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal, most people drive. Winter storms can slow commutes badly, and many employers expect you to work from home or start late on snow days if you can. Try the journey before choosing where to live.