B.C. Employment Standards Quiz

The Planning 10 module on Employment Standards suggests that the teacher delivering the course should prepare a written quiz.  
This is a list of proposed questions from which a teacher could draw any number of examples to create a short test for the Planning 10 participants. We found that these were some of the questions raised by students when Branch staff attended classrooms.

1. Once you have reported to work, what is the minimum pay you should receive, if you were scheduled to work a seven-hour shift and sent home after one hour?
   • Two hours
2. Are you entitled to a coffee break in B.C.?
   • No. The Act requires that employees are entitled to a half-hour break after working for five hours. This break is unpaid unless the employer requires the employee to be available for work, which would make it a paid break.
3. List the nine Statutory Holidays in B.C.
   • New Year’s Day
   • Good Friday
   • Victoria Day
   • Canada Day
   • B.C. Day
   • Labour Day
   • Thanksgiving Day
   • Remembrance Day
   • Christmas Day
4. If you are a manager would you be entitled to extra pay for working on a Statutory Holiday?
   • No. Under the Regulations a manager is only entitled to straight time pay for that day. However, a manager is someone whose principal employment duties consist of managing other people or resources, so a “manager” who does most of the same work as other employees may not be considered a manager under the Act.
5. How long after you start a job, do you qualify for Statutory Holiday pay?
   • At least 30 calendar days.
6. Is there a minimum number of days that you would have to work in order to qualify for Statutory Holiday pay?
   • Yes, at least 15 of the previous 30 days.
7. Can an employer require you to remove nose rings, tongue rings etc. prior to commencing a shift?
   • Yes.
8. What is the minimum wage for employees who have less than 500 hours of total paid employment?
   • There is no “training wage” in B.C. Young people are entitled to the same minimum wage as any other employee.
9. What is the minimum wage for most other employees in B.C.?
   • May 1, 2011 - $8.75 an hour;
   • November 1, 2011 - $9.50 an hour;
   • May 1, 2012 - $10.25 an hour.
10. Are there other minimum wage rates in B.C.?
• Yes, there is a separate minimum wage for liquor servers and a minimum piece rate for farm workers who harvest fruit and vegetable crops. There is also a minimum daily rate for live-in camp leaders.
11. What is the liquor server minimum wage?
    • The liquor server minimum wage applies to employees whose primary duties are to serve food and drink, and who serve liquor as a regular part of their job. The minimum wage rates are:
• May 1, 2011 - $8.50 an hour;
• November 1, 2011 - $9.00 an hour;
• May 1, 2012 - $9.50 an hour.
12. Can an employer require an employee to pay for breakage, shortage or dine and dash?
    • No, this is part of the cost of doing business, which the employer cannot pass on to employees.
13. Are tips considered wages?
    • No. but since an employer cannot require an employee to pay for any business costs, an employer also cannot require an employee to pay for such costs out of tips.
14. What should you do if a customer takes $40 worth of goods/products and leaves without paying?
    • If you can, write down a personal description of the person or other identifying information (i.e. licence plate of a vehicle) to provide to your employer and the police. Do not chase the person. (Please see WorkSafe link).
15. What should you do if the employer requires you to repay the $40?
    • The employer is not allowed to deduct this from you. Call the Employment Standards Branch toll-free number for information on filing a complaint.
16. If the employer tells you that you have to wear a white shirt and black pants or skirt at work, is this considered a uniform?
    • No.
17. If someone in your immediate family dies, how many days off are you entitled to?
    • Up to three days.
18. Are these days off with or without pay?
    • Unpaid.
19. How many times per month must an employee be paid under the Act?
    • At least twice per month.
20. How many days does the employer have to pay you all wages owed if you quit your job?
    • 6 days.
21. How many days does the employer have to pay you all wages owed if you are fired?
    • 48 hours.
22. If you have worked for an employer for 3 1/2 years and you are terminated without a justifiable reason or notice, how many weeks of pay should you receive for this termination under the Act?
    • Three weeks' wages.
23. Are there times when an employer doesn't have to give notice or pay in lieu of notice?
    • Yes, if the employee quits or is fired for just cause.
24. Give two examples of “just cause”
    • Theft.
    • Serious breach of company rules or practices.
25. How long do you have to work for the same employer before you qualify for your first vacation?
• 12 consecutive months.