Young Employees
How old must a person be to work?Generally, children under 12 years old are only allowed to work for an employer in exceptional circumstances. Employees under 16 years old must have a permit from the Employment Standards Branch before they can work.Are there restrictions on where and when young people can work?Yes. People under 18 years old are not allowed to work alone between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. They are also not allowed to work in the following industries:
How often can young people work?During a school week, employees under 16 years old can only work 20 hours or less. During vacations like Christmas and summer, it may be possible to work more. There may also be restrictions on employment permits about when young people can work.Why do young people need an employment permit?The permit system gives parents/guardians, employers, teachers and the Employment Standards Branch a chance to investigate if the employment will affect the safety, health or well-being of young people before the employment starts.How do I apply for an employment permit?An application form can be found on the web site at www.manitoba.ca/labour/standards/forms.html or by contacting the Employment Standards Branch. The application requires information from the applicant, a parent/guardian, the school principal and the employer. The completed form can be taken, mailed, or faxed to the nearest Employment Standards Branch office.When do I apply for an employment permit?Employees under 16 years old must have approval from the Employment Standards Branch before they begin work. Once the terms and conditions of the job are decided the application can be filled out. Permits will be issued specifically for each employee and each job.What kind of information is required to apply for an employment permit?The following information is required:
Why does a school principal need to sign an application for an employment permit?Teachers offer information to the Employment Standards Branch about appropriate hours of work, the abilities of their students and the effect employment might have on the education. All of this information affects the branch's decision to approve the permit. Teachers and parents who have questions or concerns about the employment of a young person should contact the Employment Standards Branch to discuss the issues.For employment during school vacations, the principal's signature is not needed. What does Employment Standards do with applications?The Employment Standards Branch reviews the applications to make sure jobs are not hazardous and that the hours make sense for the age. To do this, branch staff may speak with the potential employer, the parents, the school or the applicant. Once the application has been approved, work may begin, and the employer and employee are each mailed a copy of the permit.What happens to the permit if the job changes?The permit specifies the job duties the applicant is approved to do. In some cases, job duties or hours of work may change after the employment begins. Either the worker or the employer must call the Employment Standards Branch to update the information on the permit.Because permits are approved for a specific job with a specific employer, employees looking for a new job with a new employer; must apply for a new permit, even if the job tasks and hours do not change. Can young people work alone?People under 18 years old cannot work alone between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m . People under 16 years of age can not work at all between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.Workplace safety and health legislation requires all employers who have employees working alone to have a clear plan that ensures employees' safety. This is needed whenever an employee is asked to work alone, not just at night. People under 16 years of age may be asked to work alone at times. Usually, the employment permit has special instructions about working alone. Anyone with concerns about working alone, or someone they know working alone, should contact both the Employment Standards Branch and the Workplace Safety and Health Branch to discuss the situation. Do young people have the same rights as other employees?Yes, young people have the same rights and the same obligations. They are entitled to vacation pay, overtime, minimum wage, general holiday pay and all other rights under The Employment Standards Code. The website at www.manitoba.ca/labour/standards has information on employee and employer rights and responsibilities.Why do young people need to know their rights and obligations to work?All employers and employees need to know their rights and obligations before they agree to an employment arrangement. Young people can be vulnerable in a new job and knowing their rights stops them from being taken advantage of in the workplace.Starting a job is like signing an agreement. Employers have certain responsibilities, but employment agreements also put responsibilities on employees. The legislation does not only protect employees it also protects employers when employees do not meet their obligations. Coming to work when scheduled, following instructions at work and giving proper notice to end a job are all employee obligations. For more information contact the Employment Standards Branch:
This is a general overview and the information used is subject to change. For detailed information, please refer to current legislation including The Employment Standards Code, or contact the Employment Standards Branch to ask for advice. Date Published: September 30, 2008 |
