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Education seminars

Last updated on April 11, 2024

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. Please register at least 24 hours before the scheduled time.

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The ABC's of the ESA (Employment Standards Act) - Tuesday, April 23

Scheduled sessions:

Tuesday, April 23 from 2 to 3:30 pm
Wednesday, May 22 from 10 to 11:30 am
Thursday, June 27 from 2 to 3:30 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

Sign up or request information

Send an email to ESB.Compliance@gov.bc.ca. Include the following information:

  • Seminar: The ABC's of the ESA - Thursday, March 28
  • The business name, contact person, phone number and email address
  • Number of attendees

You'll receive a confirmation email with additional details. If you don't receive your confirmation email within a week, check your junk email folder before sending a second request.

 

Recruitment in B.C. - Wednesday, April 24

Scheduled sessions:

Wednesday, April 24 from 10 to 11:30 am
Tuesday, June 25 from 2 to 3:30 pm

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

Sign up or request information

Send an email to ESB.Compliance@gov.bc.ca. Include the following information:

  • Seminar: Recruitment in B.C. - Wednesday, April 24
  • The business name, contact person, phone number and email address
  • Number of attendees

You'll receive a confirmation email with additional details. If you don't receive your confirmation email within a week, check your junk email folder before sending a second request.

 

Variances, averaging agreements and overtime - Thursday, May 23

Scheduled sessions:

Thursday, May 23 from 10 to 11:30 am

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?

Sign up or request information

Send an email to ESB.Compliance@gov.bc.ca. Include the following information:

  • Seminar: Variances, averaging agreements and overtime - Thursday, May 23
  • The business name, contact person, phone number and email address
  • Number of attendees

You'll receive a confirmation email with additional details. If you don't receive your confirmation email within a week, check your junk email folder before sending a second request.

Information about seminars

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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?