CanadaWhat is the maximum number of hours I can be required to work per week?
For federally regulated employees in Canada, the maximum standard workweek is 40 hours. Working beyond that triggers overtime pay, but there is no absolute legal cap on total weekly hours unless safety or collective agreement rules apply.
What the Law Says
The Canada Labour Code sets the baseline hours of work and overtime rules for employees in industries regulated by the federal government — such as banking, interprovincial transport, telecommunications, and federal Crown corporations.
Under section 167, the standard hours of work for federally regulated employees are 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week. This is the benchmark used to determine when overtime begins.
Section 174 requires employers to pay overtime at a rate of at least one and one-half times the employee’s regular wage for each hour worked beyond those standard hours.
Importantly, the Code does not set an absolute maximum number of hours an employee can be required to work in a week — only that hours beyond 40 must be compensated at the higher overtime rate. Exceptions may apply for certain roles (e.g., managers, professionals) or under approved modified work schedules.
Statutory TextStandard hours of work are 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week for federally regulated employees.
— Canada Labour Code, s. 167 — Hours of work
Statutory TextEmployees must be paid at least 1.5 times their regular rate for each hour worked in excess of standard hours.
— Canada Labour Code, s. 174 — Overtime pay
What to Do
Confirm whether your job is federally regulated (e.g., airline, bank, postal service, federal government). Provincial employment standards apply if it is not.
Review your employment contract or collective agreement — these may limit hours or provide stronger protections than the Code.
Track all hours worked weekly; if you exceed 40 hours, ensure overtime pay is applied at 1.5× your regular rate.
Raise concerns with your employer or contact the Labour Program of Employment and Social Development Canada if unpaid overtime occurs.
Sources
Same Question, Other Jurisdictions
Germany
Australia
Singapore
European Union
UK
US Federal
US-California
US-New York
South Korea
Japan
IndiaNot legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.