At the start of the school year, many secondary and post-secondary students will be transitioning into part-time jobs in addition to their time in school.
These working experiences are valuable for young people as they will learn skills that will be used throughout their adult lives.
However, it's important that they and their parents are aware of their rights and responsibilities at work.
For example:
? An employer cannot pay workers less than minimum wage, and an employee who reports for work must be paid for at least two hours even if he or she works less than that amount of time.
? Tips or gratuities are not wages. Employees must be paid minimum wage (or, if over 19 years of age and serving alcohol, the liquor server wage) in addition to any tips or gratuities they receive.
? All employees must be paid at least twice a month, and a pay period cannot be longer than 16 days.
? Coffee breaks are given at the discretion of an employer. However, there are specific rules around meal breaks. For example, employers must ensure employees do not work more than five hours without a meal break, and meal breaks must be at least half an hour long.
? If the employer asks an employee to attend training or meetings on an employee's day off or outside regular hours worked, the employee may be eligible for overtime, minimum daily pay or other entitlements.
? An employer may require an employee to work overtime as long as the employer pays the applicable overtime wage rates, and the hours worked are not excessive or detrimental to the employee's health or safety.
? If an employer requires an employee to wear a uniform or special clothing, the employer must provide, clean and maintain it at no cost to the employee.
? While employers are required to give notice of termination after three months of employment, employees are not required to give notice of an intention to quit.
If you have questions about employment standards, you can visit one of the nine branches throughout the province or call 1-800-663-3316 or go online: www. labour.gov.bc.ca/esb.
