Labor Laws in the Government of Manitoba
Employees in Manitoba have certain rights to fair treatment. These rights make sure that they are paid fairly for their work and that employers don't take advantage of them. Knowing your rights can help make relations between you and your employer go smoothly.
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Wages
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Since Oct. 1, 2009, minimum wage has been $9 an hour with a planned increase to $9.50 an hour on Oct. 1, 2010. This is for full-time and part-time employees of all ages.
Employees and employers cannot make a contract to work for less than minimum wage.
All employees who receive wages must be given a pay statement, or stub, that shows the regular and overtime hours they worked as well as deductions, and the total paid to the employee for the year.
Working Minors
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Anyone under the age of 16 needs a permit from the Employment Standards Branch. No one under 18 can work alone between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. There are also many industries they are not allowed to work in because they are dangerous. Some examples are underground mines, pulp mills or asbestos removal. During the school year, minors under 16 cannot work more than 20 hours a week.
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Deductions
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According to the Government of Manitoba, employers can deduct: "statutory deductions (i.e. EI, Tax, CPP), court orders or garnishments, charges for board, lodging and meals as permitted under the employment standards code, recovery of pay advances and corrections of payroll errors, the minimum amount payable by the employer for a red light or photo radar ticket with the employee's written permission for each infraction and any other deduction agreed to by employees as long as it directly benefits the employees."
However, employers cannot deduct the cost of shortages, damages, faulty work, business supplies, education expenses, or a uniform, or require that the employee pay for a uniform.
Hours
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Standard hours are eight hours a day for a total of 40 hours a week. An employee must be paid 1 1/2 times his regular wage for any hours worked over 40 in a given week.
Employers control the schedule and employees can't work overtime without their employers knowledge. However, they can negotiate how many hours of overtime the employee will work each week.
Employees are entitled to two full days off a week. They do not have to be consecutive.
Unpaid Leave
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According to the Government of Manitoba, employees are allowed to take leave without losing their jobs in the following circumstances: maternity leave, parental leave, family leave, compassionate care leave, organ donor leave, bereavement leave and reservist need for those in the Canadian Forces. These leaves do not have to be paid, although funds may be available from the federal government in the case of maternity/parental leave, but the employees must get their job back when they return from leave.
Vacation Pay
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Employees are entitled to two weeks of vacation with pay after working 12 consecutive months. After working five years with a company they are entitled to three weeks of vacation. Vacation pay cannot be paid any later than the last day of work before vacation. Vacation pay must be paid within 10 months of earning it. The employee must also take her vacation within 10 months of earning it.
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References
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