The following is an explanation and more information regarding the standards and rights of both employers and employees on the Saskatchewan legislative acts and regulations. These rules apply to employment and labour in Saskatchewan.
1. The rules regarding wages and pay in Saskatchewan
The act contains information regarding call-out pay and the current minimum pay of $10.20 per hour. Information on when overtime is paid, what exemptions exist and the special rules covering overtime contained in the act. The act specifies that employers may not either directly or indirectly deduct or withhold any pay unless it is allowed by law. This covers any purpose that may occur. No discrimination may exist by paying different employees higher or lower pay for the same work based on sex or other grounds. The act finally covers the rules for keeping payroll records.
2. The regulations regarding layoffs and termination of employees
The act covers the regulations to follow for employers and employees when laying off or terminating employment contracts. The act outlines the special rules applying for group terminations. Layoff is defines as a temporary interruption of employee services for a period exceeding six consecutive days.
Individual termination is when the employer gives the employee written notice before such termination or layoff unless grounds for immediate dismissal exist. Group termination is when this action involves more than ten workers within a four week period working at the same location. This covers a layoff without a recall date or for a period of more than 6 months. Notice must be given to the employees.
3. The Saskatchewan employment standards in professions and industry
This section covers industry specific regulations for employers and employees such as:
• Agriculture standards existing
• Independent contractors and how their position is defined relating to employment rules.
• Care provider rules and regulations
• Sitters
• Retail workers and with regards to breaks, rest periods and deductions.
• Restaurant and hospitality workers with regards to breaks, rest periods and deductions
The act further defines who is not covered under Part II of the act. This includes all employees under federal jurisdictions and working in family concerns.
4. Information regarding vacations, leave, holidays and absences of employees.
The regulations regarding Saskatchewan Public holidays, rules for annual vacations and all other special leave is contained in this section of the act.
Annual leave is applicable to all employees covered under the Saskatchewan Employment Act. This includes the following:
There are 10 public holidays in Saskatchewan for employees with full pay. Employees that are required to work are covered by special wages rates. The act covers all special leaves such as family, medical and service leave.
The act covers absence from work due to illness, injury to themselves as well as illness or injury to family members under certain conditions.
5. Regulations regarding work schedules, permits and other modified employment arrangements.
This section covers hours of work and required breaks. The act further covers the rules for changes in working standards by employees with work arrangements and permits. It covers meal breaks and coffee breaks during the regular working hours of the employee.
6. Regulations and rules for complaints, investigations, enforcements and fines.
This section covers the methods of filing a complaint, what the responsibilities of the employer is, how investigations are conducted and finally the appeals available to the employee. The act also contains summaries of outcomes of the current year and archives of previous year’s complaints and appeals.
7. The rules regarding Employment Agencies.
The section 2-5 of the Saskatchewan Employment Act replaces the previously used Employment Agencies Act with special regards to the fact that job seekers should not a fee to find employment. The act follows the following principles:
Agencies does not require a provincial license
• Agencies must charge employers to do a recruitment service
• Employees or job seekers may not be charged.
• Agencies involved in foreign worker recruitment must be licensed under the Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act.
Government of Saskatchewan: www.saskatchewan.ca/work/employment-standards
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