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How public service pay works
Government of Canada employees are paid in arrears. ↗️ This means that you are paid for your work during your first 2 week pay period, 2 weeks following, at the end of the second 2 week pay period. Pay periods are 2 week time frames that start on a Thursday and end on the second Wednesday. You should receive your first pay within 4 weeks of starting work.
For example, if your start date is January 13, 2020, you are entitled to your first pay on February 5, 2020 (for the 8 days you worked in the January 9 – 22 pay period). You will receive your first full pay on February 19, 2020, and payments will continue every second Wednesday after that.
New employees or those who’ve recently returned to work and haven’t received payment on time can request an emergency salary advance or priority payment. ↗️
To better understand your pay and tax implications, please visit the Public Services and Procurement Canada website for information on how public service pay works, how to read your pay stub, tax-related related issues and much more. ↗️
We encourage you to take the time to read this information, as it will answer some of your questions.
How you get paid
The government uses direct deposit to electronically transfer your pay to your bank account. Using direct deposit is a condition of employment. Exceptions may be made only if there is a specific reason why you can’t use direct deposit.
You may modify your banking information through the employee self-serve option in Phoenix. If you are unable to modify your direct deposit information in Phoenix, you may complete and send the direct deposit enrolment request form, along with a void cheque, to the Pay Centre. If your organization isn’t served by the Pay Centre, contact your compensation team.
It is important that you keep your current bank account active until you can confirm that your pay is being deposited into your new account.
Calculating your gross pay
To determine your gross bi-weekly pay (before deductions), divide your annual salary by 26.088.
Example: If your annual salary is $50,000, your gross pay is $50,000 ÷ 26.088 = $1,916.59 per pay
To determine your hourly gross rate of pay, divide your annual salary by 52.176 to obtain the weekly rate, and then by the number of hours in your standard work week.
Example: If your annual salary is $50,000 and you work 37.5 hours a week, your pre-tax rate of pay is $50,000 ÷ 52.176 ÷ 37.5 = $25.55 per hour
Submitting overtime hours
- Process for submitting overtime 🔒 ↗️
Learn how to submit overtime hours for time off in lieu, or regular compensation.