How much we work

In 2002, an estimated 12.5 million individuals worked full time in Canada. This number translates into 81% of all employed individuals, making full-time employment the country's most popular working arrangement. The proportion of those working full time has remained fairly stable over the past two decades; however, the rate for youths aged 15 to 24 has fallen while the rate for women aged 25 to 54 has increased. In comparison, it is estimated that 2.9 million Canadians work at part-time jobs.

In the last 15 years, the proportion of employees working the traditional 40-hour work week has declined. The share of employees working more than 40 hours has also decreased while the proportion working less than 40 hours has increased.

The number of actual hours worked varies by industry and occupation. Canadians working in labour-intensive industries tend to put in the longest hours. In 2002, approximately 44% of workers in primary industries—including more than 48% of those working in agriculture—put in more than 40 hours a week, with 34% clocking more than 50 hours. The self-employed also tend to put in longer hours. Short hours are more common in service-related industries—52% of the employees in accommodation and food services and 37% in health care and social assistance worked less than 35 hours a week in 2002.

Many Canadians work overtime: in 2002, 10% of workers put in extra hours for which they were paid, while almost 13% worked longer without compensation.