Are you a new business owner?
The first step is to find out if you are provincially or federally regulated. Most Saskatchewan businesses will be provincially regulated, but if you are in transportation, airline, pipeline, etc., you may be federally regulated. The Canada Labour Code covers federally regulated industries.
Where can I find out more specific details about Saskatchewan Employment Standards?
You can access information on the Saskatchewan Employment Standards website and you can always call CFIB Business Resources at 1-833-568-2342 at any time when you have a question. Our Business Advisors would be pleased to help you navigate the Regulations.
What is the minimum wage in Saskatchewan?
As of October 1, 2023, the minimum wage in Saskatchewan is $14.00 per hour. More information on minimum wage and minimum call-out pay can be found on the Saskatchewan Employment Standards website.
Effective October 1, 2024, the minimum wage will be $15.00.
What days are considered a Stat holiday in Saskatchewan?
There are 10 General Public Holidays listed in the Employment Standards Code; they are:
- New Year's Day,
- Family Day,
- Good Friday,
- Victoria Day,
- Canada Day,
- Saskatchewan Day,
- Labour Day,
- Thanksgiving Day,
- Remembrance Day, and
- Christmas Day.
For most employees, these are days with pay. Special wage rates apply for employees who work on public holidays. Some industries and types of employees are covered by special public holiday rules. Please see Public (Statutory) Holidays on the government website, or our article on Paid Holidays in Canada for more information.
When must I pay overtime?
Any hours over 8 in a day and any hours over 40 in a week must be treated as overtime and must be paid at time and a half in most workplaces. For example, if you have a part time employee who worked 10 hours one day and only 22 in that week, you would be required to pay them 2 hours of overtime and 20 hours of regular pay for that week. As another example, if you had a full time employee who worked 8 hours each of Monday to Friday and then worked 4 hours on Saturday, you would be required to pay 4 hours of overtime as their week exceeded 40 hours that week, although no day exceeded 8 hours. Remember, you may choose business policies that exceed employment standards, just apply them consistently among all your employees.
Can an employee request to bank overtime?
Yes! All employees can request an overtime bank, including those working fewer than 30 hours per week. For every hour of overtime worked, 1.5 hours must be banked. For more details on the rules about overtime banks check out the Saskatchewan Employment Standards website.
May I employ someone under the age of 16?
In Saskatchewan, the minimum age of employment is 16 years of age. 14 and 15 year-olds can work if they have both:
- the written permission of one of their parents or guardians; and
- a Certificate of Completion from the Young Worker Readiness Certificate Course.
14- and 15-year-olds cannot work:
- more than 16 hours in a week in which school is in session;
- after 10:00 p.m. on a day preceding a school day; and
- before classes begin on a school day.
These restrictions apply in any week where there is a school day. Hours of work restrictions do not apply during school holidays and extended breaks from school. During holidays, 14 and 15 year-olds can work the same hours as other employees.
What steps am I required to take to terminate the employment of my employee?
A decision to let an employee go can have legal implications for your business. Please speak with a CFIB Business Advisor prior to terminating the employment of one of your staff. There are risks to your business beyond receiving an employment standards complaint and investigation.
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