There’s no shortage of small businesses in Calgary. In fact, according to the Government of Alberta, in 2021, 95% of companies in this city were small businesses. And its percentage is only increasing by up to 0.23% every year.
And if you have a business in this thriving city, it’s only suitable to acquire services from small business lawyers in Calgary.
It can be difficult to keep up with all of the business laws that every business owner must follow, and you may find yourself breaching several without even realizing it. When this happens, you will very certainly face sanctions or a lawsuit.
Among these laws are the following labor laws that you might not know.
Medical Leave
Small, private businesses have different rules regarding employee leave.
However, as required by law, employers must be prepared to provide qualified employees with up to 12 weeks of family medical leave within a year.Additionally, workers can request a personal leave for health reasons and family issues that can last for five days.
Maternity and paternity leaves are also under this law, and employers should readily give them to workers after the birth or adoption of the eligible employee’s child.
Currently, a Covid-19 is in effect and provides 14 days of unpaid leave to employees in quarantine.
Vacations
A basic rule regarding labor and employment in Alberta states that employers must provide employees with annual paid vacation leaves. However, these vacations are usually given only to employees with at least one year of service.
Union Activity
Small businesses might or might not hire unionized employees.
However, every employee has the right to join unions and collectively bargain with employers for their mutual benefits. Canada strongly protects workers’ unions and organizations – groups regulated by federal and provincial legislation.
Working Hours
In federally regulated workplaces in Canada, the standard working hours are eight hours per day or 40 hours per week. In some cases, it can be 48 hours per week. Any time that exceeds these numbers is already considered overtime.
However, employees can refuse overtime unless necessary, such situations involving a person’s life, death, health, or other unanticipated conditions.
Workplace Safety
Employers must comply with the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) for safe and healthy working conditions and environment. Generally, the CCOHS safety standards are a provincial or territorial mandate that tries to avoid injury, fatalities, and other dangers in various working circumstances.
Child Labor
In Canada, child labor laws aim to protect children’s welfare and ensure that they do not stop going to school to work.
In particular, the Protection of Young Workers in Canadian Employment Act stipulates that children under the age of 12 are not permitted to work, and minors under the age of 16 are not permitted to work more than 20 hours per week.
Having a business requires strict compliance with government laws, so you, your company, and your employees stay safe and protected. And this is something that small business lawyers in Calgarycan help you with.
With lawyers’ expertise and experience, you can be sure that their assistance will protect and secure your interests and that of your employees.
However, note that labor and employment laws differ among private companies and local governments.
