Parents, employers and youth received a lot of feedback on how best to protect children in the workplace and what types of jobs or responsibilities are safe for children under the age of 16. The resulting regulations carefully considered the need to ensure that young people are employed safely without restricting essential activities such as sports coaching or working in family businesses. Employers who hire individuals 16 years of age and older must comply with all regular employee employment standards and meet WorkSafeBC`s requirements for young workers under 25. The changes, which take effect Friday, will provide better protection for youth and also allow regulators to define the types of jobs and jobs that are suitable for people under 16, the province said in a statement. The decision to issue a work permit for children is subject to the approval of the Director. In exercising his discretion under the Act, the Director of Employment Standards will only issue a work permit for children after considering whether an exemption from the standard provisions of the Act is appropriate in the circumstances. When reviewing an application, the director assesses factors such as: Entering the labour market is an important step in every young person`s life. The age rules you must have to work in British Columbia vary depending on the type of work. Learn about the most important laws that affect youth and work.

To hire a youth under the age of 16, an employer requires the written consent of the parent or guardian (PDF). Written consent, along with proof of the child`s age, must be retained by the employer as part of the employment documents. Occupations now compulsory as light work for youth aged 14 to 15 include: “In the hospitality industry, we rely on young workers to fill many jobs, especially at entry level. We therefore welcome this clear direction as to what constitutes appropriate employment for them. Restaurant owners want all employees and their families to know that their duties are safe and appropriate for their age and experience when they join our workforce. “We are committed to protecting B.C. workers of all ages from unsafe working conditions and unfair work practices,” said Bains. And we are improving B.C.`s employment standards to reflect the changing needs of our workplaces. I look forward to continuing this work. As of January 1, 2023, there will be a minimum age for hazardous work, and the regulation will define what constitutes a “hazardous industry” and “hazardous work” for children and youth. Hazardous work is divided into two categories: (1) work for young people aged 16 and over; and (2) work for youth 18 years of age and older.

“Work experience can be a rewarding growth opportunity for young people, but it should never compromise their safety,” said Harry Bains, Minister of Labour. “We know that most employers make the safety of all their employees their top priority, and these changes clarify the age-appropriate types of jobs for young workers.” In spring 2019, the government passed amendments to the Employment Standards Act to ensure that British Columbia`s employment standards are consistently applied, properly applied and reflect the evolving needs of workers and employers. Occupations or situations that are now generally considered dangerous for youth under the age of 16 include: To hire a child under the age of 14 or a child under the age of 14 or a child who is not an easy one, an employer must complete an application for a child work permit (PDF). The child`s parents/guardians and the school board also complete parts of the application form. A parent or guardian decides whether it is in their child`s best interests to have a job. If a work permit for children is not required, they must provide written consent (PDF, 130.7KB) for their child to work. The employer must document the written consent. If an employer requires permission to employ a child, the child`s parent or guardian must accept the employment relationship. The recommendation of a school board is required if a permit is required and the child is working during the school year.

While consent and recommendation are required, these are not the only factors that determine whether the Director approves an application for a child work permit. On January 1, 2023, changes will be made that will impact British Columbia`s Employment Standards Act, which recognizes young workers performing hazardous work. As we mentioned in our spring 2019 blog post, more than two years ago, the BC NDP government introduced legislation to “better protect children and youth from hazardous work” (Ministry of Labour). A Council regulation, adopted this week (12 October 2022), serves to bring this legislation into force in the new year. The regulation also sets out the details of the changes, such as the minimum age for certain types of hazardous work and transitional provisions for children who have already been recruited for hazardous work. Prior to these changes, British Columbia was the only province in Canada that allowed the employment of children as young as 12. In some cases, these were hazardous situations or environments, such as construction sites or heavy industrial environments. As a result, younger workers are injured on the job every year, with WorkSafeBC data showing more than $1.1 million in employment-related disability claims for workers under the age of 14 between 2007 and 2016.

However, the law provides exceptions to these rules for certain jobs. A child belonging to one of these groups does not need a work permit for a child if: “Light work” refers to occupations that are not considered harmful to the health or development of the child. Employers who intend to employ children under the age of 16 must apply for a child labor permit if the child performs tasks listed in non-light work. “Through stakeholder meetings and the online survey, we received thoughtful and practical feedback on the age restrictions that should apply,” said Bains. “We listened to all of these perspectives and developed balanced and reasonable requirements that provide young people with valuable employment opportunities without compromising their safety.” The legal working age in British Columbia is currently 12, but starting Oct. 15, the provincial government will bring the rules up to international standards. VICTORIA – The B.C. government is changing employment standards to better describe the types of work that are appropriate for people aged 16 to 18. The government`s website outlines the new age groups and the types of jobs allowed in each. Specifically for young people aged 14 and 15, it defines jobs that fall under light work as follows: To hire a child under 4 for performances, employers must apply for a child work permit. The new rules mean employers can only hire teens 16 or older, but there will still be certain jobs for which people under 16 can be hired. As a general rule, permits for children under the age of 12 are only granted in exceptional circumstances, such as short-term, low-risk employment situations.

New changes to employment standards will better protect youth in the workplace by raising the overall working age in British Columbia from 12 to 16 and defining the types of jobs that are suitable for those under 16. These new rules bring British Columbia into line with international child employment standards. They will come into force on October 15, 2021 so that employers and children already working can adapt to the new requirements. The regulation also restricted the exclusion from employment standards for home care providers and babysitters caring for an adult or child in a private residence. This change ensures that caregivers who care for an average of more than 15 hours per week are protected under the Employment Standards Act, while those who provide home care and child care for fewer hours can continue to work under more flexible arrangements. Under the amended law, 14- and 15-year-olds can still do a lot of age-appropriate work that the government has called “light work,” but only with the permission of a parent or guardian. “As farmers, we know that family farms and livestock are the lifeblood of British Columbia`s agriculture sector, and we want to encourage and support these multigenerational farms. It is important to have a balanced approach to youth employment; A model that allows the children of the farm to contribute safely, learn the ropes and develop a passion for the family business. For children aged 14 or 15, permission from the Director of Employment Standards is required to perform work other than “light work”.

If permission is granted, the director may fix the conditions of employment of the child, which must be respected by the employer. Unfortunately, younger workers are at higher risk of work-related illness or injury. Between 2016 and 2020, 669 workers under the age of 19 in British Columbia were injured during construction, while 26 suffered long-term disability. If you are a young person applying for your first job, a parent or guardian with a dependent youth, or an employer whose employees are under the age of 19, workplace safety should be a priority. Unions must follow certain rules The rules say what unions can and cannot do. In British Columbia, the rules are written in a series of statutes called the Industrial Relations Act. Are some jobs too dangerous for young workers? Earlier this year, the Government of British Columbia conducted a Public Involvement Survey to assess the potential workplace risk for youth under the age of 19. As a result of the survey of British Columbians to find out their opinion on this matter, British Columbia.