Employment Standards Assignment

1. What is the Employment Standards Act?

It is a law that sets out the minimum standards for most workplaces in BC.
 Who is not covered by this act?
People who are in worker’s union is not covered by this act and people who are outside of the provincial
jurisdiction.
2. Minimum Wage:
 Are there two minimum wages? Explain. What are the new minimum wages going to be?
There are two minimum wages. The first one is the general minimum wage, which is at $10.85 per hour. The other minimum wage is for employees who werve
liquor which is $9.60 per hour for them. Both minimum wages is set to increase by 50 cents on September 15, 2017.

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?
One will get paid for two hours of work, even the employer gives the permission to take a break. However if one
was scheduled for more than eight hours of work, one must be paid at least four hours of work.

 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?
one must be paid for the eight hours of work and the two hours one has worked overtime must be paid 1.5 times
your usual wage.

 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 two hours’ worth of work since the reason the work stopped was beyond the employer’s
control.
 How many times a month must your boss pay you?
The employer must pay at least twice a month, with the length between each pay being less that 16 days.
4. Work Breaks:
 How often does an employer have to give you a 30 minute meal break?
30-minute meal break every five hours.
 How many coffee breaks does an employer have to give you?
the employer is not required to give an employee any coffee break
 What is a split shift?
It is a work shift where one works for more than two separate periods of time.
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.
No, it is illegal to do that since there are 23 days in between January 18 and February 10. And the length of time
between your paydays must be less than 16 days.
 What must appear on your written or electronic pay statement (pay stub) each pay period?
Electronic pay statement must state the details about the hours worked, rates of pay, earnings and deductions.
 What is vacation pay? How much is it?
 Vacation pay is the money you get payed while you are on a vacation break. Vacation pay will be four percent of
the previous year’s salary during vacation.

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?

It must be paid by the employee since safety equipment is not considered in the category of special clothing by
the Employment Statement Act.
 You work in a restaurant where you are required to wear tan colored pants, a black collared shirt, belt and casual
shoes. Who is responsible for supplying the outfit? Explain
It is not considered a uniform; therefore the employee must supply the outfit themselves.

 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 colored pants or skirt. Who is responsible for supplying the outfit? Cleaning it? Explain.
The employer must provide the employee with the shirt. However, because “dark coloured pants or skirt” is not
identified with the employer, the employer needn’t provide them.

8. Deductions:
 What deductions must you pay (or have come off your cheque)?
You must pay authorized deductions (income tax, employment insurance premiums, Canada Pension Plan
contribution, union dues, or a lawful garnishing order)
 What deductions are optional (your choice) to have come off your pay cheque? Provide examples.
When the employee gives permission, employers can make deductions for medical premiums, extend health or
dental coverage, and charitable donations.

9. Statutory Holidays:
 What are the two (2) conditions that you must meet in order to be paid for a statutory holiday?
The first one is that you must have been employed for at least thirty days, including weekends and holidays.
Secondly is that you were working for at least fifteen of the thirty days.
 How much do you make per hour if you work a statutory holiday? _$16.28__

10. Leaving the Job:

 Do you have to give your employer advance notice that you are quitting your job?
It is not requited but however, two weeks in advance is considered customary.
  Why would it be a good idea to let them know?
They could give you a positive reference while you look for your next job.
 What does being laid off mean?
Being laid off means that you are getting unemployed. In short, it means you are fired.
 When would you get terminated?
If the employer doesn’t have a just cause, the employer must give you a written notice.
 What are some reasons that an employer can fire you? Does the employer have to give you notice that you are
being fired?
The use of drugs or alcohol, intentionally disobeying your boss, dishonesty, and ignoring a clear workplace policy,
procedure, or rule.
 If you are fired how long does the employer have before s/he must pay all your wages?
If one hasn’t worked for three months, they don’t have to pay you compensation. After three months, they must
pay you for one week, two weeks for a year, and adding a week every three year. The maximum length of
compensation is eight weeks.
 What is a Record of Employment (ROE)?
A record of employment or ROE is a document detailing your employment history. It is very important in
establishing a claim for Employment insurance benefits.

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? __0___
after 4 years __2__

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?
Details may be useful to the employer, and you won’t be accused of the incident.

 Why do you think it would be a good idea to keep a record of the days and hours you have worked?

One can calculate one’s earning and can compare it to the paycheck for accuracy.
13. Explain why it is your responsibility to know your rights as a worker.
Knowing my rights as a worker is very important. I can identify whether I am being violated or not. And by knowing
these rights, I can protect myself from all the nonsense violations and accusations and employers cannot take advantage
of me.