Employment standards, sometimes called labour standards, is the set of provincial laws that determine the minimum requirements for non-unionized employees at work.
Most employers and employees are covered by the Employment Standards Act. In New Brunswick, the Act does not distinguish between part-time, full-time, seasonal and casual employees. There are a few occupations not covered by employment standards; these include people who work in a private home for the homeowner (babysitters, home care workers, construction workers who are employed directly by the homeowner) and independent contractors.
NOTE: The Canada Labour Code covers employees who work in industries that fall under federal jurisdiction, such as railways, pipelines, ferries, banks, inter-provincial trucking and shipping, and telecommunications.
In New Brunswick, you can access details about the Employment Standards on the government website.
Employment standards regulations cover:
- Minimum wage
- Minimum wage will be $11.75 per hour as of April 1, 2021
- Vacation entitlement
- Public holidays
- Leaves of absence
- Hours of work (including overtime rules)
- Termination notice requirements
Employment standards can be reached by calling 506-453-2725 or you can contact business resources at msnb@cfib.ca or 1 888 234-2232 for more information.