MISCELLANEOUS

• How can I obtain my security guard’s licence ?

  Please communicate with the Bureau de la Sécurité privée (click on this link to access the website)

• The work site to which I have been assigned does not require the wearing of a uniform. Am I subject to the Decree nevertheless?

  The field of application is determined by the tasks that are performed as well as the nature of the work, and not by the uniform. We refer you to section 1.01, paragraph 1.1o and 20o of the Decree for the actual definitions.

• What happens when I file a complaint against my employer with the Parity Committee?

  Your complaint is briefly examined by the inspection department, then assigned to an inspector, who will contact you to complete the file.

• I would like to file a complaint with the Parity Committee against my employer, but I am afraid of reprisals. What should I do?

  Every complaint is confidential, unless you authorize the Parity Committee to disclose your name (s. 24 of the Act respecting collective agreement decrees). The Act respecting collective agreement decrees provides for severe penalties (s. 30, 30.1, 31) in the case where an employer dismisses an employee because he filed a complaint with the Parity Committee.

• Will my complaint remain confidential?

  As stipulated in section 24 of the Act respecting collective agreement decrees, the Parity Committee cannot disclose the name of an employee who files a complaint unless the employee consents thereto. We ask that this consent be given in writing.

• How long does it take to obtain a settlement once a complaint has been filed?

  The time periods may vary significantly from one case to the next. However, we can assure you that your complaint is processed with due diligence and as soon as possible.

• Why did I receive a cheque from the Parity Committee?

  The cheque that you received represents a sum that the Parity Committee claimed on your behalf from your employer under the Act respecting collective agreement decrees. If you move, please inform the Parity Committee of your change of address so that the correspondence intended for you is sent to the right address.

• Who will issue the Relevé 1 and T4 slips for the sums of money that I received during the year from the Parity Committee?

  The Parity Committee is not your employer. As a result, it does not issue these tax slips. It is up to you to add these sums to the amount of your reported income. The amount entered on the cheque(s) might not be included in the amount on the tax slip that your employer will issue you.

• Am I required to submit time sheets to my employer?

  This is a management right of your employer. Under the “Regulation respecting the keeping of a system of registration” of the Parity Committee, it is up to the employer to keep an up-to-date register which must contain the number of hours worked per day for each employee, with the precise time that the work began, was interrupted, resumed and was completed. Consequently, the employer may require that you submit time sheets. It is strongly advised that you make note of the dates, times and locations for each shift you worked.

• Is my employer required to give me a minimum number of work hours per week?

  There is no such provision in the Decree. However, a collective agreement could provide for such conditions.

• Can I sign an agreement with my employer to have him stagger my overtime hours or to have him put them in a bank of hours?

  No, under no circumstances. The provisions of the Decree are public in nature (s. 11 and 12 of the Act respecting collective agreement decrees). Consequently, the hours actually worked in a week must be paid in that week (s. 3.01, 3.02 and 3.04 of the Decree).

• If I work more than 12 hours per shift, do these additional hours become overtime, i.e. paid at time and a half?

  No. Overtime is calculated on a weekly basis and not on a daily one. For the purposes of calculating overtime, the standard workweek is 40 hours. The hours worked over and above the hours of the standard workweek are overtime (s. 3.01, 3.03 and 3.04 of the Decree).

• My employer requires that I go to his offices to pick up equipment before proceeding to the work site. From what point in time must I be paid?

  From the moment that your employer required your presence, in this case, at his offices (S. 3.06 of the Decree).

• Is my employer obliged to give me a letter of reference after I leave his employ?

  Only a work certificate may be required under the Decree (s. 3.10 of the Decree).

• At what moment am I entitled to a meal period?

  For each period of 5 hours worked, you are entitled to 30 minutes with pay for the meal period (s. 3.12 of the Decree).

• Is the amount of $0.25 an hour that my employer pays me when I am in charge of one or more employees a premium?

  No. It is an increase in the hourly rate. Only those premiums stipulated in the Decree are permitted. Every other remuneration in addition to the wages stipulated in the Decree is considered wages (s. 4.15 of the Decree).

• When I work at night, am I entitled to a premium or a higher hourly rate?

  The Decree contains no such provision.

• What is the difference between a dismissal and a layoff?

  In the case of a dismissal, the employment relationship is severed for good. As for a layoff, the employment relationship is maintained for a temporary period.

• If the contract to which I was assigned has ended or if I am removed from the contract, am I dismissed?

  Not necessarily, as the employer can relocate you.

• Does the Parity Committee have the power to require my reinstatement?

  No. Employees may, however, turn to the Commission des normes du travail.

• What are the statutory holidays?

  Please consult our section on statutory holidays and non-working days with pay.

• To what amount am I entitled for a statutory holiday?

  You are entitled to an indemnity equal to 1/20 of the wages earned during the four complete weeks of pay preceding the week of the holiday, including premiums but excluding overtime hours (s. 6.03 of the Decree).

• On Easter Monday, the site where I ordinarily work is closed. As a result, I did not work on that day (day off). Is my employer required to pay me for Easter Monday or Good Friday?

  Under section 6.02 of the Decree, the statutory holiday is Good Friday. Only Good Friday is considered a paid statutory holiday.

• Does my employer have to pay the hours worked on Remembrance Day at time and a half or at double time?

  No. For all statutory holidays, you are entitled to an indemnity equal to 1/20 of the wages earned during the four complete weeks of pay preceding the week of the holiday, including premiums but excluding overtime hours (s. 6.03 of the Decree). As for the hours worked on this specific day, they are paid at the regular hourly rate.

• Am I entitled to personal holidays even though I am not a Class A-01 employee?

  Personal holidays apply to all employees, from the 1st day worked, regardless of the classification, except with respect to the sick leave bank, which is only payable to Class A-01 employees.

• When must I be paid the balance of the accumulated amount of sick or accident leave?

  By no later than December 10th of the current year (s. 7.02 of the Decree).

• Do I have to pay or reimburse my employer for the uniform that he provides?

  No. The uniform and the equipment required by the employer must be paid for by the employer. He cannot make any deduction on the wages actually paid, for any reason whatsoever, in relation to this uniform and this equipment (s. 8.02 of the Decree).

• I was summoned to testify in Court. Who must pay me for this day?

  If you must testify in Court for an incident that occurred in the performance of your duties, even if it involved your previous employer, your current employer must pay you as if you were at work, provided that it is a work day for you (s. 8. of the Decree).