Employers must respect the law and treat young workers fairly

Every student worker is a worker just like anyone else!  All employees in BC are covered by the law, called the Employment Standards Act, which outlines your rights– make sure you know them!  The basics are:

• Minimum hours of work: You cannot be called in for a shift shorter than 2hours.
• Meal break:  If your shift is 5 hours long, you must have a meal break of at least ½ an hour.
• Vacation:  You deserve a break!   The minimum vacation is 2 weeks in BC after one year with an employer.  Talk to your employer about scheduling your vacation.
• Holidays: If your employer requires you to work on a statutory holiday, you must be paid 1 ½ times your regular wage.  This usually kicks in after you’ve worked there for a while – so if you start a week before Thanksgiving, holiday pay won’t apply.
• Other Benefits: You may be entitled to other benefits in your workplace.  Talk to your employer about what benefits, such as medical or dental coverage, you might have.
• Unions: You have the right to join a union at your workplace.  For more information on unions and young workers, check out www.bcfed.com/issues/youth
• You must be paid a minimum wage to do your work

In BC, there are two minimum wages: a “training wage” the BC Government introduced in 2001 that pays $6 an hour and is for your first 500 hours of work, and a “regular” minimum wage of $8 an hour.  Neither of these have increased in ten years. 

The SFSS believes in a fair wage for workers of all ages, and has signed onto the $10 Minimum Wage Campaign coordinated by the BC Federation of Labour. For more information, check out www.bcfed.com.

Young workers tend to have dangerous jobs

While a job at a restaurant, grocery store or warehouse may not seem dangerous at first, it’s at these job sites where young workers are most often injured.  Work Safe BC found thousands of injuries to employees are in workplaces where young people tend to work while getting their education.

In particular, be careful when you’re required to do any heavy lifting, working with hot objects or surfaces, using mobile equipment or motor vehicles, or working in proximity to running machinery or equipment – these are the angers young workers face most.   Check out WorkSafe BC to report an incident or to find out how to protect yourself at www.worksafebc.com. 

If in doubt, ask – there’s help out there if you need it!

The SFSS has a free Legal Clinic where you can consult with a lawyer about any issues you might face.  To schedule an appointment, contact the General Office at 778.782.3870 or stop by MBC 2250.