Each province maintains employment standards that dictate the rules employers are to follow for payment of their employees. Prince Edward Island is no exception. Here are some guidelines to help you meet your Prince Edward Island employment standards.
What is a work week and how many days can an employee be required to work?
A work week is seven consecutive days as designated by the employer. If the employer does not designate a week, then it is seven consecutive days starting at midnight on Sunday. Employees must receive twenty-four consecutive hours off work in each week; if possible the day off should be Sunday.
How many breaks is an employee entitled to each day and are they paid?
After five consecutive hours of work an employee is entitled to a half-hour break. This break is not paid, unless the employer maintains the right of direction or control during this period, in which case it is paid.
For example: If a sales associate is working alone in a store and they are not permitted to leave or to close to take a break the employer is retaining the right of direction during the break period; therefore, the employee would get paid for their break.
When do I have to pay overtime and how is it calculated?
Overtime must be paid on any hours worked over forty eight hours per week. The minimum overtime rate is 1.5 times the minimum wage rate. Minimum wage is currently (as of October 1, 2023) $15.00/hour which means the minimum overtime rate is $22.50/hour.
Can an employee bank overtime?
Yes. Instead of overtime pay an employee may receive 1.5 hours of paid time off work for each hour of overtime worked when an employee and employer agree to do so. This is subject to two conditions:
- The employee requests such compensation in writing and the employer agrees to the request; and
- The time off must be taken within three months of the time the overtime was worked, unless the employee and employer agree to extend the time.
Are there a minimum number of hours of work for which I must pay an employee?
If an employee is called in to work and isn’t require to work at least three hours, the employer must either:
- Let the employee work for three hours, or
- Pay the employee for the un-worked portion at the minimum wage rate or the minimum overtime rate, whichever is appropriate.
If an employee reports for a shift of more than three hours and finds it cancelled they must be paid for three hours.
Do I have to pay employees for undertaking duties that cannot be completed during their normal work day?
If an employer requests that an employee be present at the workplace, then the employee should be paid. For example:
- Mandatory attendance at a meeting held before the work day begins or after it ends
- Staying past the scheduled end of the shift to close business for the day (cleaning, cashing out, etc.)
- Attendance at training requested by the employer.
It is not unreasonable however for an employer to request an employee to be on the work premises 15 minutes early to confirm they are ready for their shift. If an employee commences work in those 15 minutes, they must be paid for the time worked.
For further information please visit Prince Edward Island Employment Standards page.
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