British Columbia Employment Standards
In B.C., employees are eligible for overtime based on both daily and weekly hours worked.
Reviewed by the Time Card Maker editorial team:
Time-and-a-half (1.5x) after 8 hours. Double-time (2.0x) after 12 hours in a single day.
Time-and-a-half (1.5x) after 40 hours in a week.
Required after 12 hours in a day.
British Columbia Employment Standards in plain language
For many provincially regulated B.C. employees outside an averaging agreement, overtime is generally time-and-a-half after eight hours in a day and double time after twelve. Weekly overtime generally begins after 40 hours, counting only the first eight hours from each day toward that threshold.
Key terms for this calculation
- Daily overtime
- Premium hours above the daily threshold, evaluated before the weekly calculation.
- Weekly overtime
- Premium hours above the weekly threshold without duplicating daily premium hours.
- Averaging agreement
- A written agreement made before it starts that sets a schedule across one to four weeks.
British Columbia Employment Standards: worked example
A covered employee earning $25 per hour works 13 hours in one day outside an averaging agreement.
- 8 regular hours × $25 = $200
- 4 overtime hours × $37.50 = $150
- 1 double-time hour × $50 = $50
$400 before deductions.
Federal jurisdiction, exclusions, variances, collective agreements, and averaging agreements require separate review.
How employees and employers can use this page
Employee time-card review
Verify daily tiers, then the weekly calculation. Obtain a copy of any averaging agreement before relying on an averaged schedule.
Employer payroll review
Separate daily premium hours before testing the weekly threshold and keep the signed averaging agreement and schedule.
Common calculation and recordkeeping errors
- Counting daily overtime again as weekly overtime.
- Using an unsigned or retroactive averaging agreement.
- Applying provincial rules to federally regulated work.
Four-step overtime audit
- Confirm jurisdiction and coverage.
- Check for an agreement or variance.
- Calculate daily tiers first.
- Calculate weekly overtime without duplication.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an averaging agreement?
A B.C. averaging agreement is a written agreement made before it starts that specifies a one- to four-week schedule and other required terms. Overtime still applies when its thresholds are exceeded.
Related calculators and guides
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Use our free calculator to see exactly how these rules apply to your hours. It automatically handles overtime math for British Columbia Employment Standards.
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