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You have the rights as an employee. There are extra protections for young and new workers.
What you need to know
Know Your Rights
Make sure you know your basic rights like current minimum wage, maximum hours you can work and your right to work in a safe and discrimination free environment.
Stay Safe
Be sure you know and follow safety procedures at work. If something feels unsafe, speak up. This includes if you are being bullied or harassed. Your safety is the most important thing.
Age Matters
If you’re under 18, you can’t be employed for hazardous work. This includes jobs that could harm your health or safety, like logging, working in paper/pulp mills, power line construction, and more. If you’re handed a chainsaw at work, something’s definitely wrong!
If you’re under 16 you’ll need written permission from your parent or guardian to work and your boss may be required to get a permit depending on the type of work you are doing.
Bosses need to take extra steps to make sure workers under 25 have effective training and orientation. This is so that you are prepared for the job and any potential hazards before you start working. If you feel like you haven’t received enough training to do a task safely, let your supervisor know!
Employment Contract
Read and understand your employment contract. It should outline your job duties, pay, hours, and other important details. Employers are not allowed to make big changes to your contract (like significantly cutting your hours or changing your role) without you agreeing to it.
Ask Questions
Don’t be afraid to ask your employer questions about your tasks, hours, and safety procedures.
Balance Work and School
Make sure your job doesn’t interfere with your schoolwork or personal life.
Dig Deeper
Rules like minimum wage and other protections do not apply to people who are self-employed or an independent contractor. But, just because your company calls you an independent contractor or even if you sign something saying you’re an independent contractor doesn’t mean that’s the case. Who is an who isn’t is defined by the law. See Are you an independent contractor? From People’s Law School.
Hot Tip
App-based gig-workers like ride hailing and delivery workers are entitled to some of the basic employment standard protections as other workers in BC.
What Rights and Responsibilities Do I have at the Age...
International Rights of the Child
UN Convention on the Right of the Child that apply to you up until you are 18. All children have the right
- Not to be discriminated against
- To live, be safe and develop to your fullest potential
- To have a voice heard and respected in decisions that impact you
- To have adults make decisions about you that are in your best interest
Dig deeper in Kids have rights!
Have a Voice
Adults making decisions about you should take your views seriously, even if they might not always be able to do exactly what you want.
This right becomes especially important if your parents are separating or you are in the government’s care. You have the right to express your views on things that impact your life. See Your Rights in Care: What You Need to Know and Dealing with Your Parents’ Separation or Divorce.
Register for List of Future Votes
The minimum age Canadian citizens can vote in municipal, provincial or federal elections is 18. If you are 16 or 17 you can register on the List of Future Voters which will automatically register you to vote when you turn 18. You can learn more about registering to the Future Voter list at Elections BC.