British Columbia Employment Standards Guide
British Columbia's employment standards are set out in the Employment Standards Act, providing comprehensive protections for workers. BC has a diverse economy driven by technology, film production, forestry, mining, and tourism, with Vancouver being a major tech hub.
Key legislation
- Employment Standards Act
- Human Rights Code
- Workers Compensation Act
- Labour Relations Code
- Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA)
Employment standards at a glance
Minimum wage
$18.25/hour
Standard workweek
40 hours
Overtime threshold
8 hours/day or 40 hours/week
Public holidays
11 statutory holidays
Vacation minimum
2 weeks after 1 year, 3 weeks after 5 years
Notice of termination
1 week (3 months) to 8 weeks (8+ years)
Protected grounds
Human Rights Code (RSBC 1996, c 210)
- Race
- Colour
- Ancestry
- Place of origin
- Religion
- Marital status
- Family status
- Physical disability
- Mental disability
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity or expression
- Age
- Political belief
- Conviction for a criminal or summary offence
Leave types
- Pregnancy leave (17 weeks)
- Parental leave (61-62 weeks)
- Family responsibility leave (5 days)
- Compassionate care leave (27 weeks)
- Bereavement leave (3 days)
- Jury duty leave
- Critical illness or injury leave (36 weeks)
- Domestic or sexual violence leave (10 days)
- COVID-19-related leave
- Crime-related child death or disappearance leave
Legislation and workplace agencies
- Employment Standards Act (RSBC 1996, c 113)
- Human Rights Code (RSBC 1996, c 210)
- Workers Compensation Act (RSBC 2019, c 1) – Part 2
- WorkSafeBC
Key industries in British Columbia
- Technology
- Film & Media
- Forestry
- Mining
- Tourism
- Real Estate