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Education seminars

Last updated on February 17, 2026

Seminar dates are scheduled in advance. View individual seminar topics below to find a scheduled session or request more information. Seminar sessions are not cumulative: they cover the same topics each time.

Upcoming sessions

Seminars are free to attend and can be joined by phone or Microsoft Teams. Click the links or call the numbers below to join a seminar at the scheduled time.

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The ABC's of the ESA (Employment Standards Act) - Tuesday, March 17, 2026 from 1:30 to 3 pm

Scheduled sessions:

Tuesday, March 17, 2026 from 1:30 to 3 pm

Learn the basics of employment standards and the Employment Standards Act. Topics include:

  • Basic definitions
  • Regular wages
  • Hours of work
  • Statutory holiday pay
  • Deductions
  • Annual vacation

Next session: Tuesday, March 17, 2026 from 1:30 to 3 pm

Click the link below at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 to join the Microsoft Teams meeting.

Join meeting

Meeting ID: 243 073 039 888 84 
Passcode: Hm9Sj3ya 

 

Recruitment in B.C. - Thursday, March 19, 2026 from 9:30 to 11 am

Scheduled sessions:

Thursday, March 19, 2026 from 9:30 to 11 am

Learn about the rules and responsibilities of employment agencies, foreign recruiters and employers who intend to hire foreign workers in B.C. under the Employment Standards Act and Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Act. Topics will include:

  • Who needs what licence
  • Licence requirements and costs
  • Navigating the application and renewal processes
  • Navigating the Employer Registry
  • Required and prohibited practices

Next session: Thursday, March 19, 2026 from 9:30 to 11 am

Click the link below at 9:30 am on Thursday, March 19, 2026 to join the Microsoft Teams meeting.

Join meeting

Meeting ID: 230 688 797 426 3 
Passcode: b27HD6VR 

 

Variances, averaging agreements and overtime - Tuesday, March 31, 2026 from 1:30 to 3 pm

Scheduled sessions:

Tuesday, March 31, 2026 from 1:30 to 3 pm

This education seminar is for employees and employers who are interesting in entering into (or may already be covered by) a variance or averaging agreement. We also take a look at overtime and discuss the requirements of sections 35 and 40 of the Act. Topics include:

  • What's a variance? What's an averaging agreement? What's the difference?
  • What sections of the Act can be varied by a variance?
  • How do I apply for a variance? What does the application process entail?
  • When do variances expire? What do I do when they're about to expire?
  • What are the requirements of a valid averaging agreement?
  • What is overtime?
  • When are overtime wages owed?
  • Who is excluded from the overtime provisions of the Act?

Next session: Tuesday, March 31, 2026 from 1:30 to 3 pm

Click the link below at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 to join the Microsoft Teams meeting.

Join meeting

Meeting ID: 259 723 647 240 53 
Passcode: B7Vx9Qj7 

Information about seminars

Interested in a topic below that isn't currently scheduled? Email us at ESB.Compliance@gov.bc.ca to register your interest. The Employment Standards Branch can't guarantee seminar availability, but we constantly monitor interest levels to determine seminar scheduling.

Expand All | Collapse All
 

The ABC's of the ESA (Employment Standards Act)

Learn the basics of employment standards and the Employment Standards Act. Topics include:

  • Basic definitions
  • Regular wages
  • Hours of work
  • Statutory holiday pay
  • Deductions
  • Annual vacation
 

Domestic workers

This education seminar provides a general overview of employment standards and how they relate to the rights and entitlements of domestic workers. Topics include:

  • Wages
  • Hours of work
  • Terms of employment
  • Records of hours
 

Farm workers and farm labour contractors

Learn about the rules and responsibilities of farm labour contractors under the Employment Standards Act, including:

  • Understand licence requirements and costs
  • Navigate the application and renewal process
  • Record keeping requirements
  • Security or bond requirements for farm labour contractors
 

Hiring children

Learn about the who, what, where, when, why and how of hiring children, including:

  • What changes are coming that will affect how old someone has to be to work in B.C.?
  • What are the different requirements for hiring 11 year-olds, 12 and 13 year-olds, and 14 and 15 year-olds?
  • Whose written consent is needed?
  • What are the responsibilities of an employer who has hired a child?
  • What is a Child Employment Permit? When will one be granted? What is considered?
  • How long can children work?
  • Are there special rules for children working in the entertainment industry?
 

Recruitment in B.C.

Learn about the rules and responsibilities of employment agencies, foreign recruiters and employers who intend to hire foreign workers in B.C. under the Employment Standards Act and Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Act. Topics will include:

  • Who needs what licence
  • Licence requirements and costs
  • Navigating the application and renewal processes
  • Navigating the Employer Registry
  • Required and prohibited practices
 

Talent agencies

Learn about the rules and responsibilities of talent agencies under the Employment Standards Act, including:

  • Understand licence requirements and costs
  • Navigate the application and renewal process
  • Record keeping requirements
  • How to charge fees as a talent agency
  • Security or bond requirements for talent agencies
 

Temporary layoff variances

This education seminar for employees and employers covers the rules around temporary layoffs, and variances.

Topics will include:

  • What is a temporary layoff?
  • When is an employee considered laid off?
  • When does a temporary layoff become a termination of employment?
  • Requirements specific to temporary layoff variances
  • When and how to apply for a temporary layoff variance
  • How to ensure your application for a temporary layoff variance is complete
  • How best to communicate with your employees about the variance
  • What constitutes proof of informed employee consent and support for the variance application?
 

Variances, averaging agreements and overtime

This education seminar is for employees and employers who are interesting in entering into (or may already be covered by) a variance or averaging agreement. We also take a look at overtime and discuss the requirements of sections 35 and 40 of the Act. Topics include:

  • What's a variance? What's an averaging agreement? What's the difference?
  • What sections of the Act can be varied by a variance?
  • How do I apply for a variance? What does the application process entail?
  • When do variances expire? What do I do when they're about to expire?
  • What are the requirements of a valid averaging agreement?
  • What is overtime?
  • When are overtime wages owed?
  • Who is excluded from the overtime provisions of the Act?