Vacation leave
This page provides information on topics you need to consider when planning your vacation leave.
On this page
- Vacation calculation
- Vacation approval
- Vacation changes
- Unused vacation payments
- Leaving the public service
Vacation calculation
Vacation leave is calculated based on your number of years in the public service. Generally, you will earn vacation leave for each month you receive 75 hours or 10 days’ pay, but this can vary according to your collective agreement or classification group. For specific information, see the relevant authorities such as your collective agreement and/or the various terms and conditions of employment specific to your classification group.
As a new employee you are entitled to vacation leave with pay in the amount of your earned vacation credits, but if you have completed 6 months of continuous employment, you are entitled to receive an advance of credits equivalent to the anticipated credits you will earn in the current fiscal year. A fiscal year is defined as April 1 to March 31.
Vacation approval
You are expected to take your vacation leave the year it is earned, however your manager may approve alternate vacation leave arrangements after considering the effects of your absence on the operational requirements of the organization.
It is your responsibility to request and receive authorization for any absences through your departmental leave system.
If you are seconded to a different department, you must complete a Leave Application and Absence Report GC-178 form (available on the Government of Canada network only). Your host department section 34 manager must approve the leave and forward it to your home department section 34 manager, who then records it in their departmental leave system.
Vacation changes
Your vacation leave can be changed if you are:
- granted bereavement leave
- granted leave with pay because of the illness in your immediate family
- granted sick leave on production of a medical certificate
With your manager’s approval, your vacation period can be extended or reinstated in your vacation leave balance for use at a later date. Refer to the relevant authorities such as your collective agreement and/or the various terms and conditions of employment specific to your classification group.
Unused vacation payments
You are expected to take your vacation leave the year it is earned. If this is not possible, there are provisions for the carry over and automatic payment of excessive vacation leave credits:
- for departments using the Government of Canada Human Resources Management System (GC HRMS), your manager must approve the leave transaction and send it to the trusted source for authentication, who then submits a pay action request form to the Pay Centre
- for departments using My Government of Canada Human Resources (My GCHR), your manager must approve and enter the leave transaction in the system
For more information, see Liquidate leave (mandatory).
Leaving the public service
If you leave the public service and your advanced leave has not been recovered, the Pay Centre will recover the amount equivalent to any unearned leave from any monies owing as stipulated by the relevant authority. Refer to the relevant authorities such as your collective agreement and/or the various terms and conditions of employment specific to your classification group for additional information.
Any outstanding earned vacation leave at the time of departure from the public service will be paid to you, or in the event of your death, to your estate.
If you leave the public service for employment with a separate agency, your collective agreement or terms and conditions of employment may provide an option to have your credits transferred if the separate agency agrees. Refer to the relevant authorities such as your collective agreement and/or the various terms and conditions of employment specific to your classification group in both your new and previous organization for additional information.