How Many Weeks and Working Days Are in 2025
Updated: January 2025
Understanding how many weeks and working days are in a year is essential for both employees and employers. Whether you’re planning vacations, managing payroll, or scheduling projects, knowing the total work weeks and working days in 2025 helps you plan effectively.
In Canada, there are 52 weeks in a year, which equals 365 days in a regular year or 366 in a leap year. However, the actual number of working days varies based on public holidays, vacation time, and personal leave.
This guide breaks down how work weeks and working days are calculated across Canada, with a closer look at Ontario and British Columbia.
How Many Weeks Are in a Year?
There are 52 full weeks in a year. When dividing 365 days by 7, the result is 52 weeks and one day. During a leap year, there are 52 weeks and two days.
| Year Type | Weeks | Extra Days |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Year | 52 | 1 |
| Leap Year | 52 | 2 |
How Many Work Weeks Are in a Year?
A typical Canadian workweek runs Monday through Friday, or five working days. If all 52 weeks were fully worked, that equals 260 workdays per year.
- In reality, employees work fewer days after accounting for holidays, vacations, and personal leave.
- Vacation: 2–3 weeks (10–15 days)
- Public Holidays: 10–13 days, depending on the province
- Sick/Personal Leave: around 5 days
After these deductions, most full-time employees in Canada work 230–240 days per year, spread over 46–49 working weeks.
| Component | Days |
|---|---|
| Total days in a year | 365 |
| Minus weekends (52 × 2) | -104 |
| Minus public holidays (average) | -10 |
| Total Working Days | 251 |
Working Days and Weeks in Ontario
In Ontario, working days depend on vacation entitlements, personal leave, and statutory holidays under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA).
| Factor | Days |
|---|---|
| Total days in a year | 365 |
| Minus weekends | -104 |
| Minus Ontario statutory holidays (9–10) | -10 |
| Baseline Working Days | 251 |
Working Days and Weeks in British Columbia
British Columbia follows a similar pattern with 10 statutory holidays recognized annually.
| Factor | Days |
|---|---|
| Total days in a year | 365 |
| Minus weekends | -104 |
| Minus BC statutory holidays | -10 |
| Baseline Working Days | 251 |
After adjusting for vacation and leave, most BC employees work about 230–236 days, or 46–47 working weeks.
Do Leap Years Affect Working Days?
A leap year adds one extra day, creating 366 total days. If February 29 is a weekday, it slightly increases the working days for that year.
| Year Type | Total Days | Weekends | Estimated Working Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Year | 365 | 104 | 230–236 |
| Leap Year | 366 | 104 | 230–237 |
Why Understanding Work Weeks and Working Days Matters
Knowing the number of work weeks and days in a year is valuable for everyone:
For Employees
- Plan vacation and personal leave efficiently
- Track hours, overtime, and annual pay
- Understand entitlements under provincial employment laws
For Employers
- Manage payroll, scheduling, and compliance
- Align projects with staffing availability
- Ensure adherence to public holiday and vacation requirements
Key Takeaways
- Most Canadians work between 230–240 days per year
- Ontario and BC both average 46–47 working weeks annually
- Actual figures depend on vacation, holidays, and personal leave
- Leap years add a minor variation to total working days
Final Thought
Whether you’re an employee calculating your working days or an employer planning staffing budgets, understanding how work weeks and holidays affect the year can help you stay compliant and organized.
If your employment situation changes unexpectedly, consult a qualified employment lawyer to ensure your rights are protected.
How Achkar Law Can Help
If your work hours or schedule have changed, or if you’ve faced a job loss or reduced hours, you may be entitled to compensation under Ontario’s Employment Standards Act (ESA).
At Achkar Law, our team of experienced employment lawyers represents both employees and employers in:
- Wrongful dismissal
- Severance pay negotiation
- Employment contract reviews
- Workplace policy compliance
Call toll-free: 1-800-771-7882 | Email: [email protected]
The article in this client update provides general information and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. This publication is copyrighted by Achkar Law Professional Corporation and may not be photocopied or reproduced in any form, in whole or in part, without the express permission of Achkar Law Professional Corporation. ©