Labour Minister confirms new youth employment rules do not apply to self-employed ‘contracted’ carriers
The AWNA has heard from Labour Minister Christina Gray, following its submission to the department regarding the new youth employment rules (coming into effect this fall) and their possible effect on youth newspaper carriers.
Minister Gray stated that the Employment Standards Code “does not apply to self-employed contractors.”
“In most cases, individuals delivering newspapers, including youth, are operating under contracted employment relationships. A number of conditions can assist in determining if someone is a contractor or an employee. For example, contractors:
- Are generally free to choose their time of work;
- Can set their own sequence or manner in which the work is done;
- Do not participate in the Employment Insurance program;
- Work without supervision to meet requirements; and
- Buy their own tools, (i.e., mailbag).”
It is imperative that members execute contracts with their youth carriers; otherwise the new rules may be applied. Among other things, it could require you to pay these carriers for three hours work at minimum wage.
The AWNA has prepared a template for a carrier agreement that you can use if you do not currently have agreements in place. You can download a copy in PDF or Word format from the association’s website (link below).
The User Name/password combination is:
mbrAWNA
M3mb3rsOnly