First published on Friday, July 12, 2024
Last updated on Friday, July 12, 2024
World Youth Skills Day was declared by the UN as a day to celebrate the strategic importance of equipping young people with the skills they need for employment and to enter the workforce.
There are many advantages to hiring young people. Developing their skills is also in employers’ best interest as the future of work will depend on a vast array of diverse skills.
Young people offer fresh perspectives and can help your company grow, making it a better place for your whole team. But hiring young people is not without risk from a legal and safety standpoint…
So, we’ve put together some handy advice to help you hire young people compliantly and provide them with the skills and opportunities needed to address skill shortages in your workforce.
What does the law say about hiring young workers?
In Canada, the law differs depending on your province or jurisdiction.
In most provinces children can start part-time work as early as 14, but there’s strict rules about the type of work they can do, as well as the hours they can work, including holiday pay, rest breaks, and times of day, so always check with your provinces' employment standards to make sure you're operating in line with the law.
Further rules apply to how children can be employed while school is in session, the hours they can work on school and non-school days, the types of work they can undertake, and requirements for people supervising children in the workplace.
Plus, the legal working age further changes depending on the industry and type of workplace. High risk industries such as construction and mining have higher age requirements due to stricter health & safety standards and skill demands.
Another thing to consider when hiring young workers is the implications on health and safety. Because they lack experience and training or may be less likely to take precautions or follow accepted industry practices, younger workers are more likely to be at risk of getting injured at work.
How do you pay young workers in Canada?
One big perk of hiring young workers, at least in the eyes of businesses, is that in some provinces, they are not entitled to the same rate of pay as older workers, as of the time of writing.
However, in most Canadian provinces, young workers are entitled to the same rate of pay as older workers (the standard minimum wage rate for the province they live and work in)
Provinces where current wage rates for young workers under 18 is lower than the general minimum wage are as follows: * Alberta - $13/hour * Ontario - $16.20
How do you make sure you’re compliant when hiring young workers?
There are specific laws and regulations to ensure your young workers are treated fairly and safely. Check with your provincial employment standards which sets the legal restrictions for young workers such as hours of work, training and supervision requirements and more.
On top, businesses must adhere to the guidelines set out by health & safety legislation to ensure young workers are not exposed to risks and ensure young workers do not take on prohibited work during their employment.
Need more support?
Even with all this advice, the Canadian employment law landscape can still feel like a bit of a jungle. Regulations, rules, and issues of compliance are always waiting to catch you off guard.
Learn more about round-the-clock support from BrightAdvice! Our advisors are always on hand to give you guidance on a range of employment topics, like the legalities of hiring young workers.
Book a personalized demo or call 1888 220 4924 to learn more.
