Income replacement indemnity for the first 14 days
When workers are unable to work as a result of an employment injury, the employer must pay them 90% of their net income for the days they would normally have worked, not including the day of the accident.
This salary or wage constitutes an income replacement indemnity. The CNESST reimburses the employer who completed the Employer’s Notice and Claim (in French only) for this indemnity, regardless of whether the claim is accepted or not.
As of the 15th day after the worker becomes unable to work because of an employment injury, the CNESST will pay the income replacement indemnity directly to the worker.
Note
Some employers must pay the income replacement indemnity beyond the first 14 days under a collective agreement, agreement or order in council. In these cases, the CNESST reimburses the employer for the indemnity it would normally have paid the worker.
How to calculate the income replacement indemnity for the first 14 days
- 1. Determine the day the worker left work and the 14-day period
The day the worker left work is the last day worked, in whole or in part, following an employment injury. When a worker is injured at work and is unable to work for the rest of the day, the employer must pay them 100% of their regular net salary or wages.
The last day worked must not be included in the calculation of the first 14 days of disability.
After determining the last day worked, the next 14 full days, including Saturdays and Sundays, must be counted.
The example of Hugo
On November 4, Hugo was injured at work and stopped working on the same day. He returned to work on November 13. Hugo's 14-day period runs from November 5 to November 18.
- 2. Determine the number of days payable
To determine the number of days payable during the first 14 days, it is necessary to establish the days on which the worker would normally have worked before they became unable to work because of an employment injury.
The following are excluded from the calculation to determine the number of days payable:
- statutory holidays
- vacation days
- strike or lock-out
- days closure of plant or site
- layoff or dismissal
The example of Hugo
Hugo works 40 hours, from Monday to Friday, that is, five 8-hour days. Since he returned to work on November 13, he is entitled to 6 days payable.
- 3. Determine the gross salary or wages and maximum insurable earnings for the period
To calculate the salary or wages to be paid to the worker, the gross salary or wages must be taken into consideration up to the maximum annual insurable earnings (in French only) in effect at the time the injury occurs. This amount is subject to revision on January 1 of each year.
Example: Hugo's gross salary
Work schedule: Monday to Friday, that is, five 8-hour days
Number of hours worked per week: 40 hours
Gross weekly salary or wages: $760
Gross daily salary or wages: $760 ÷ 5 = $152Maximum insurable earnings in 2025
Maximum annual earnings: $98 000
Maximum insurable earnings for the 14-day period: $3 759.11
Maximum insurable earnings for a 7-day period: $3 759.11 ÷ 2 = $1 879.56
Maximum insurable earnings for the 5-day week: $1 879.56 ÷ 5 = $375.91The gross salary or wages and maximum insurable earnings for Hugo's 14-day period Type of salary or wages Days payable Gross salary or wages $152 x 6 days payable = $912 Maximum insurable earnings $375.91 x 6 days payable = $2 255.47 The salary or wages to be deducted for the 6 days payable is $912, for it represents Hugo's loss of earnings and does not exceed the maximum insurable earnings of $2 255.47.
- 4. Calculate the worker’s net salary or wages
The net salary or wages is equal to the gross salary or wages less the deductions usually made by the employer for the regular pay period but only pursuant to:
- the Income Tax Act (federal tax)
- the Taxation Act (provincial tax)
- the Employment Insurance Act
- the Act respecting the Québec Pension Plan
- the Act respecting parental insurance
- 5. Calculate the indemnity to be paid to the worker
The indemnity to be paid to the worker is 90% of their net salary or wages for the days payable, that is, for each day or part of a day they would normally have worked had they not suffered an employment injury.
- Calculate the daily net salary or wages by dividing the net salary or wages by the number of days in a normal pay period.
(Net salary or wages ÷ Number of days in the pay period = Daily net salary or wages) - Calculate the net salary or wages for the days payable by multiplying the daily net salary or wages by the number of days payable
(Daily net salary or wages x Number of days payable = Salary or wages for the days payable) - Calculate 90% of the net salary or wages for the days payable to obtain the amount of the indemnityto be paid to the worker
(90% of the net salary or wages for the days payable = Indemnity to be paid to the worker)
The example of Hugo
Hugo, whose net salary or wages is $1 155.15 for 10 days of work, was absent for 6 days.
Calculation type of salary or wages Type of salary or wages Calculation Daily net salary $1 155.15 ÷ 10 days = $115.52 Net salary or wages for the days payable $115.52 x 6 = $693.12 90% of the net salary or wages for the days payable $693.12 - 10 % = $623.81 Therefore, the employer must pay Hugo $623.81.
Note
Other examples are provided in the Guide de calcul de l’indemnité du remplacement du revenu pour les 14 premiers jours (in French only).
- Calculate the daily net salary or wages by dividing the net salary or wages by the number of days in a normal pay period.