A Closer Look at Canadian Labour Rights

PATH TO CAREER SUCCESS
5 Things Newcomers Must Know About Canadian Employment Rights

Understanding employment rights is crucial for newcomers to Canada. Here are five key points to empower you in the Canadian workforce.

1. Employment standards vary by province
Canada has federal labour standards, but each province and territory also has its own employment laws. These regulations cover minimum wage, hours of work, overtime pay, and vacation entitlements. Familiarize yourself with your province's standards to ensure compliance and protect your rights.

2. Canadian employment law generally favors employees
In Canada, employment law typically favors employees, especially regarding termination. Depending on the province and length of employment, workers may be entitled to notice or severance pay upon termination without cause. 

3. Paid holidays aren’t mandatory nationally
While paid holidays are common, they're not federally mandated in Canada. Each province and territory determines its own statutory holidays and rules regarding holiday pay. Know your province's holiday entitlements to ensure fair compensation for time off.

4. Unionization rights vary across Canada
Unionization rights differ across the country. Understanding the process and requirements in your province provides additional protection in the workplace.

5. Canadian labour law places a strong emphasis on health and safety in the workplace
Canada emphasizes health and safety in the workplace. Employers must provide a safe environment and may face penalties for failing to do so. Knowing your rights in this area helps identify and address hazards or concerns in your workplace.

CAREER COACH Q & A
Navigating New Horizons with Expert Guidance from a Seasoned Career Coach

Q: How does vacation time and paid time off work in Canada?

A: In Canada, vacation time and paid time off are governed by provincial or territorial employment standards. Employees earn vacation time based on their years of service, with entitlements increasing as they accumulate tenure.Additionally, paid holidays, such as New Year's Day and Christmas Day, are established by government legislation. 

Employers are obligated to meet the minimum standards set for vacation time and paid holidays, although they may offer more generous policies. Understanding these regulations is crucial for both employers and employees to ensure fairness and legal compliance.

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LEADERSHIP LIBRARY
Elevate Your Career with Essential Wisdom

The Good Enough Job: Reclaiming Life from Work by Simone Stolzoff

From childhood, we idolize the notion of a dream job, intertwining our identities with our careers, often to the detriment of happiness and well-being. In "The Good Enough Job," journalist Simone Stolzoff explores how work has become all-consuming in society. 

Through interviews with professionals across various industries, Stolzoff challenges the idea of work as the sole purpose of life. Rather than viewing work as a calling, he questions what it means for a job to be satisfactory. By debunking myths surrounding work, Stolzoff prompts readers to reconsider the role of work in their lives.

WELCOME ABOARD
Newcomer Friendly Job Listings

• Software Developer Surrey, BC

• Administrative Assistant  Grassland, AB

• CFO (chief financial officer) - goods production, utilities, transportation and construction Mississauga, ON

• Veterinarian  Toronto, ON

• Construction Estimator  Etobicoke, ON

• Civil Engineer  Longueuil, QC

• Driver, Truck Lloydminster, AB

• all job postings available at time of email publication

LEARN THE LINGO
✅ Discuss Negotiations with These 6 Idioms

What exactly are idioms? Idioms are phrases or expressions whose meanings go beyond the individual words. These expressions often carry cultural significance and may not translate directly across languages. 

Familiarity with idioms can be particularly helpful if you’re preparing for English language proficiency exams like the IELTS – so let's explore 6 idioms you may encounter when discussing negotiations:

Stick to your guns 🔫
To maintain a firm position or stance in negotiations.

✅ "Even though the client pushed for a lower price, Sarah stuck to her guns and refused to compromise on the quality of our services."

Show your cards 🃏
To reveal one's intentions, strategies, or position in negotiations.

✅ "The union leader decided to show her cards by indicating that the members were prepared to strike if their demands for better working conditions were not met."

Hold one's cards close to one's chest 🤫
To keep one's intentions or strategies secret in negotiations.

✅ "During the merger negotiations, the CEO held his cards close to his chest, refusing to disclose his long-term plans for the company."

Leave something on the table 🍽️
To reserve something to be negotiated or offered later in negotiations.

✅ "In the salary negotiation, Maria decided to leave something on the table by not discussing additional benefits until the base salary was agreed upon."

Play hardball ⚾
To negotiate aggressively or uncompromisingly.

✅"The real estate developer played hardball during the land acquisition negotiations, refusing to budge on the sale price."

Have the upper hand 🥇
To have an advantage or stronger position in negotiations.

✅ "With multiple offers on the table, the seller knew she had the upper hand and could negotiate more favorable terms for the sale of her property."

Ready to start practicing? Don’t forget to use toPhonetics for the pronunciation! 

Are you studying for your IELTS exam? Check out SkilledWorker’s FREE trial of our Full IELTS Online Course.