NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release 2002SDL0033-001021 Nov. 22, 2002		Ministry of Skills Development and Labour
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS CHANGES COME INTO EFFECT NOV. 30

VICTORIA – Changes to employment standards that give employees and employers greater flexibility, reduce unnecessary regulation and bring mandatory penalties into force come into effect Nov. 30, Skills Development and Labour Minister Graham Bruce said today.

 

            “These changes modernize and simplify B.C.’s rules, making them more consistent with other jurisdictions,” said Bruce. “Employees and employers want to negotiate improved workplace arrangements, and our legislation allows them to do that, which will create jobs and revitalize the economy.

 

“At the same time, we’re cracking down on employers who break the rules. They face the highest mandatory penalties in Canada: $500 the first time, $2,500 the second, and $10,000 the third.”

               

Changes to the Employment Standards Act introduced earlier this year were designed to help create mutually beneficial workplace relationships by simplifying the rules and offering greater flexibility.  Employers and employees will now have the ability to arrange work schedules that meet the needs of both.

 

            Changes to the Employment Standards Regulation will also come into effect Nov. 30. Special overtime rules in sectors like transportation, silviculture, agriculture and oil and gas will be more consistent with the new general rules for overtime. Definitions of “manager” and “high-technology professional” will be clarified. The rules for statutory holiday pay and overtime will change for some incentive-based salespeople.

 

“Consultation with people in these sectors has resulted in some good modifications to the regulations that will allow these unique businesses to succeed,” Bruce said.

 

Not all sectors will see major changes at this time. Government is continuing its consultation in areas including agriculture and oil and gas to make sure employment standards are fair and effective for all B.C. employers and employees.

 

Changes to child employment rules are not being implemented at this time.  Any employer who wants to hire an employee under 15 years of age will continue to need a permit from the employment standards branch.

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2 backgrounder(s) attached.
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