Employment Standards Assignment

1. What is the Employment Standards Act?

A set of rules and regulations, which set the minimum standards for wages and working conditions in most workplaces
 Who is not covered by this act?
Any one working outside of BC, and those excluded by regulation.
2. Minimum Wage:
 Are there two minimum wages? Explain. What are the new minimum wages going to be?
The minimum wage amount is $10.85 per hour as of September 15th 2016, however as of 2017 it’s $11.35 per hour.
On June 1st 2018 the plan is for $12.65 per hour. If your job title is under liquor server the wage is $10.10 per hour.
3. Minimum Daily Pay:
 What is the minimum amount of hours that you are paid if you show up for work, even if the boss sends you
home?
Pay you for 2 hours of work, unless you were unfit to work, or reasons were out of control. I f you were unfit then
you are only paid for time actually worked.

 You are scheduled to work an 8-hour shift then the boss asks you to work another 2 hours. How many hours
must s/he pay you for?
1 ½ time on the extra 2 hours.

 You show up for work and work 1 hour before a power failure happens so the boss sends the entire staff home.
How many hours must the boss pay each employee for the day?
The employer must pay the workers a minimum of 2 hours at the regular wage.
 How many times a month must your boss pay you?
At least semimonthly and within 8 days after the end of the pay period.
4. Work Breaks:
 How often does an employer have to give you a 30 minute meal break?
At least every 5 consecutive hours, at least a ½ hour each.
 How many coffee breaks does an employer have to give you?
None, coffee breaks are up to the employer to give.
 What is a split shift?
A working shift comprising two or more separate periods of duty in a day.

5. Paydays and Payroll Records:

 You were paid for the months of January on the 3rd and 18th and for February on the 10th and 14th. Is the
employer allowed to do this? Explain your answer.
Employees must be paid at least twice a month and cannot be longer than 16 days apart. So this is okay.
 What must appear on your written or electronic pay statement (pay stub) each pay period?
The employer's name and address, the hours worked by the employee, the employee's wage rate, whether paid
hourly, on a salary basis or on a flat rate, piece rate, commission or other incentive basis, the employee's overtime
wage rate, the hours worked by the employee at the overtime wage rate, any money, allowance or other
payment the employee is entitled to, the amount of each deduction from the employee's wages and the purpose
of each deduction, if the employee is paid other than by the hour or by salary, how the wages were calculated for
 the work the employee is paid for, the employee's gross and net wages, how much money the employee has
taken from the employee's time bank and how much remains.
 What is vacation pay? How much is it?
Is used for people when employed five calendar days or more, after completing a year of employment vacation
pay must be at least 4% of the employee’s total earnings from the previous year. After 5 consecutive years of
employment pay increases to 6%. Workers under a year of employment aren’t entitled to vacation pay.

6. Overtime:
 You earn $10 per hour. What would be your gross pay (before taxes) if you worked:
10 hours in one day? ___$110___ 30 hours in one week? __$300__
7.5 hours in one day? ___$75___ 50 hours in one week? __$550__
7. Uniforms and Special Clothing:
 You work in a mill where you are required to wear hearing (ear) protection, steel-toed boots and safety (eye)
goggles. Who must pay for this equipment?
The employee because this is personal safety equipment.
 You work in a restaurant where you are required to wear tan coloured pants, a black collared shirt, belt and
casual shoes. Who is responsible for supplying the outfit? Explain
The employee because there is no specialty colour or company logo required.
 You work at a golf course and are required to wear a white shirt with the company logo on it. You must also
wear dark coloured pants or skirt. Who is responsible for supplying the outfit? Cleaning it? Explain.
The employer must pay for the cleaning and purchasing of the outfit. Since the outfit is customized with the
company logo the employee isn’t required to pay for it.

8. Deductions:
 What deductions must you pay (or have come off your cheque)?
Income tax, EI, and CPP
 What deductions are optional (your choice) to have come off your pay cheque? Provide examples.

9. Statutory Holidays:
 What are the two (2) conditions that you must meet in order to be paid for a statutory holiday?
Have been employed for at least 30calender days, and have worked on at least 15 of the 3 days before the
statutory holiday.
 How much do you make per hour if you work a statutory holiday?
Time and a half for the first 12 hours, and double after 12.

10. Leaving the Job:

 Do you have to give your employer advance notice that you are quitting your job?
No.
 Why would it be a good idea to let them know?
The employers appreciate it, and may be willing to write a letter of recommendation for future.
 What does being laid off mean?
Means a week in which an employee earns less than 50% of the employee's weekly wages, at the regular wage,
averaged over the previous 8 weeks.
  When would you get terminated?
Company is downsizing and no longer needs your position. Or other misconduct on the job like theft, harassment
etc.
 What are some reasons that an employer can fire you? Does the employer have to give you notice that you are
being fired?
Serious infractions such as theft, fraud, dishonesty, assault or harassment of co-workers, breach of company rules
or practices. Unsatisfactory performance or misconduct. The requirement is for one week's notice after three
months of employment and two weeks after one year. An employee is entitled to one week of working notice or
compensation for each additional year to a maximum of 8 weeks.
 If you are fired how long does the employer have before s/he must pay all your wages?
An employee must be paid in full within 48 hours after the employer ends the employment, or within six days if
the employee quits.
 What is a Record of Employment (ROE)?
A document issued for employment insurance purposes, a federal government responsibility.

11. Vacation Information:

 You just started a full time job so how many weeks of holidays will you be entitled to in your first year?
None. Earn time that can be taken in the second year.
 After 4 years
8 weeks.

12. Protecting your rights:

 Why is it a good idea to record the date, time and details of an incident that may have occurred at your work?
Helps get enough proof to make a good claim, and keep track of how often they’re happening.

 Why do you think it would be a good idea to keep a record of the days and hours you have worked?
To ensure proper pay for the amount of work you have done.

13. Explain why it is your responsibility to know your rights as a worker.

It is your responsibility to know what your role and duties are as an employee. With these roles come rights, which
protect you in the workplace. These rights will help you stay safe on the job as well as use your resources and options to
your advantage. Knowing will also help you work better with your employer, and know when you should ask for help.