Are Your IT Staff Overtime-Exempt?

It Depends on the Province

When it comes to employment standards, IT professionals occupy a murky middle ground — sometimes exempt from overtime, sometimes not. If your business operates across multiple provinces or hires remote tech staff, you might be surprised how different the rules can be from province to province. 

To help you stay compliant (and avoid a nasty backpay situation), here’s a quick overview of how overtime laws for IT workers vary across Canada. 

• Some provinces exempt “IT professionals” from overtime entirely. 

• Others treat IT workers like any other employee — eligible for overtime after 8 hours/day or 40–48 hours/week. 

• In some cases, the job title isn't enough — it’s the duties, autonomy, and earnings that matter. 

• Still confused? You’re not alone — and we can help. 

Province-by-Province Breakdown 

Provinces That Do Exempt IT Professionals 

These provinces have clear exemptions for certain IT roles, usually under the label of "information systems professionals" or "high-tech professionals": 

• Alberta – IT pros meeting the definition are exempt from both hours-of-work rules and overtime pay. Others? Overtime kicks in after 8 hrs/day or 44 hrs/week. 

• British Columbia – High-technology professionals are exempt from OT and stat holiday pay. Everyone else? OT after 8 hrs/day or 40 hrs/week. 

• Nova Scotia – "IT professionals" (not including helpdesk) are OT-exempt. Regular OT applies after 48 hrs/week for non-exempt workers. 

• Ontario – IT professionals are exempt. Plus, since 2023, “IT consultants” who meet certain conditions (like billing $60/hr as a corporation) are fully exempt from ESA rules. 

Provinces with Some Loopholes or Special Cases 

• Manitoba – No special IT exemption, but highly-paid workers who control their hours may be OT-exempt. Standard OT is after 8 hrs/day or 40 hrs/week. 

Provinces Where IT Staff Are Not Exempt from Overtime 

These provinces treat IT like any other profession: 

• New Brunswick – OT after 44 hrs/week. 

• Newfoundland & Labrador – OT after 40 hrs/week. 

• Prince Edward Island – OT after 48 hrs/week. 

• Quebec – OT after 40 hrs/week. 

• Saskatchewan – OT after 8 hrs/day or 40 hrs/week. 

• Northwest Territories – OT after 8 hrs/day or 40 hrs/week. 

• Nunavut – OT after 8 hrs/day or 40 hrs/week. 

• Yukon – OT after 8 hrs/day or 40 hrs/week. 

So… What Should Employers Do? 

Don’t Assume your IT team is overtime-exempt — even if they have “Developer” in their title. Always confirm if the actual job duties and provincial law apply. 

Classify carefully. Misclassification can lead to costly backpay, penalties, and employee distrust. 

Remote teams? Follow the laws of the province the employee is working in, not just your HQ. 

Need help assessing your job classifications or updating contracts? We’ve got your back. Our team can help you navigate IT exemptions, employment standards compliance, and everything in between.