4 of the Most Important Employment Laws
Employment law according to any top employment lawyer is a compilation of rules and laws that govern the relationship between employers and their employees. Below are 4 of the most noteworthy employment laws:
1. Overtime Pay
Overtime pay is a right for every employee. According to the Employment Standards Act, employers must pay 1.5 times the agreed payment for any work hours an hourly employee has over their weekly 44 hours of work. While there is no limit to the maximum amount of hours that an employee is required to work each week, overtime must be paid by the employer for each hour an employee is made to work over the base 44 hours each week.
However, overtime pay is not demanded working on either a Sunday or Saturday if the total hours of the employee on that particular week stays under 44 hours. There is also no limit set to the total number of days a week an employee is allowed to work.
2. Minimum wage laws
Federal minimum wages were set by the Employment Standards Act, though minimum wage laws are also enforced in numerous provinces whereby the states cannot adjust the minimum wage to be any lower the requirements of the federal law but can raise the minimum wage. However, special considerations exist for certain types of employers such as those whose employees can earn tips and can therefore depend on tips in contributing to the minimum pay of their employees.
3. Collective Bargaining
A group of employees reserves the right to arrange collective bargaining with their employer. Going by the definition from any top employment lawyer, collective bargaining is essentially a negotiation process between employers and employees focusing on agreements that regulate working salaries, benefits conditions, and other facets of workers’ rights and compensations. If greater than 50% of a workforce aims to organize, then a company is required to participate in sincere negotiations.
4. Family and medical leave
Paid medical leave is not a requirement in Canada. However, according to the Employment Standard Act, 2000, an unpaid family leave of up to 28 weeks in a period of 52 weeks must be offered by massive employers. Family leave can be used by an employer after childbirth or adoption. It can also be used to take care of a parent, child, or spouse with serious health conditions or to tend to one’s own health problems. More information can be found by visiting Levitt LLP.
