Why Some Employers Are Giving Workers Monday Off for a Canada Day Super-Long Weekend

• by Arlen Fitzpatrick
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Making the Most of an Odd Holiday: The Two-Day Canada Day Break

Canada Day falls on Tuesday, July 1 in 2025, and workplaces across the country are facing a classic calendar conundrum. Do you break up the workweek for a single mid-week day off, or do you let your staff stretch the break into an epic four-day weekend? More employers are opting for the second option—giving everyone both Monday and Tuesday off. For some business owners, it’s a "no-brainer." They say it beats the disruption of a split week and gives everyone a real chance to recharge.

It’s not just about generosity. Managers argue it makes sense on paper, too. Offices can end up half-empty anyway, with people booking vacation before or after a mid-week holiday. By closing for both days and framing it as a proper break, companies can skip the churn of patchwork schedules and boost team morale in one stroke. One Toronto tech startup manager put it simply: "You want employees coming back rested and happy. Everyone gets more done when they’re not coming off a choppy workweek."

The Business Case—and Employee Perks—Behind Extra Days Off

Giving staff a bonus day off for holidays is hardly a new idea, but pairing Monday with Canada Day is gaining traction. In industries where projects can pause for a day or two—think tech, finance, marketing, and creative firms—the move makes it easier for managers to plan. No more negotiating overlapping vacation requests or scrambling to cover for an absent coworker. In fact, a 2023 survey by a major Toronto HR firm found that nearly 40% of private sector employers now offer extended long weekends around mid-week statutory holidays.

Employees love it—and why wouldn’t they? Families can take real short trips or just relax without worrying about a hard return to work midweek. For those who can’t afford to burn their own vacation days, this is a rare treat. According to a poll by a Canadian business magazine, Canada Day is now the most likely public holiday for which employers will "bridge the gap" with an extra day off if it falls awkwardly.

But it’s not universal. Retailers, public services, and healthcare providers are less likely to participate, since the needs of customers and patients can’t wait for convenience. However, some service businesses in major cities are testing rotating schedules or split shifts so more staff can still enjoy an uninterrupted break at some point.

From an HR perspective, extra time off pays back in unexpected ways. Employees say perks like this are among the top reasons they stay with their company. And coming off a four-day break, many teams say their productivity spikes, with fewer sick days and better engagement. Not every boss is convinced, but the momentum is there—when holidays land awkwardly, giving that extra day is just smarter and kinder than pretending a regular workweek still makes sense.