Employment Standards for Mobile Workers: Executive Summary

Abstract

This report aims to explore and compare employment-related geographical mobility (ERGM) issues with regards to minimum employment standards (ES) of several Canadian provinces. ERGM entails “extended travel and related absences from places of permanent residence for the purpose of, and as part of, employment.” The scope of such travels is variable, extending from a daily total of 3 hours to more extended absences. Minimum ES govern the basic terms and conditions of employment (wages, vacation, statutory holidays, hours of work and overtime, leaves of absence, etc.) that neither the employee nor the employer can validly contract out of. Since labour falls under provincial jurisdiction, the ES legal framework varies in each Canadian province and territory.