If you live in Quebec and work full-time or part-time, you’re probably already familiar with the usual statutory holidays — New Year’s Day, Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Christmas and so on. But the province’s labour laws actually go further than just the basic statutory calendar.
Thanks to Quebec’s Act respecting labour standards, enforced by the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST), employees have the legal right to take time off for a wide range of life events, including family emergencies, caregiving, a miscarriage, even getting married or attending a sibling’s wedding. Some of these days are paid, others aren’t — but either way, your job is protected.
Many workers don’t realize these protections exist, or assume they need to use up vacation days when life happens. In reality, these kinds of absences are already built into Quebec’s labour code. The only requirement is that you inform your employer as soon as possible and provide documentation if requested (like a hospital note or wedding invite).
With that in mind, here are seven lesser-known personal leaves that Quebec workers can legally take — according to Quebec’s official labour standards and the Act Respecting Labour Standards.
Getting married or attending a family wedding
If you get married or enter a civil union, you’re entitled to one paid day off. If you’re attending your child’s, sibling’s, or parent’s wedding or civil union, you can take one unpaid day off.
In any case, you must inform your employer at least one week in advance, and the day of absence cannot be postponed to a date after the marriage or civil union.
Birth or adoption
You’re entitled to five days off when your child is born or adopted. The first two days are paid, and the leave must be used within 15 days of the event. This applies to both biological and adoptive parents.
However, if a parent is already on maternity or paternity leave, they are not entitled to these five days.
Family or caregiver leave
Every Quebec worker is entitled to 10 days per year to care for a family member or someone they support. You can take these in full or half days. The first two days must be paid if you’ve been with your employer for three months or more.
According to the CNESST, these must be related to the care, health or education of one’s child, the child of one’s spouse, or the health of a parent or a person for whom one acts as a caregiver.
Miscarriage or abortion
If it occurs before the 20th week of a pregnancy, you can take up to three weeks unpaid with proper documentation. After 20 weeks, you’re eligible for up to 20 weeks of unpaid parental leave. If your partner was pregnant, you can also take five days off, two of which are paid.
Death of a loved one
If your spouse, child, sibling, or parent passes away, you’re allowed five days off, two of which must be paid. For other close relatives like grandparents, the law grants one unpaid day.
Suicide of a close family member
You can take up to 104 weeks of unpaid leave if your spouse, child, or parent dies by suicide. This protection ensures job security during a long recovery period.
Jury duty or being called to testify in court
If you’re summoned to serve as a juror or to testify as a witness, your employer legally has to let you go — it’s considered a civic duty in Quebec. While they’re not required to pay you for the time you’re away (unless it’s written into a collective agreement), your job is protected and they can’t fire or discipline you for missing work.
You may also be eligible for compensation from the government to help cover things like meals, lodging, or childcare while you’re in court.
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