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What you should know

Live-in caregivers have certain legal rights respecting fair working conditions and fair treatment under employment standards legislation in most provinces and territories. Nothing in your contract must violate these rights. Employment tandards regulations may cover rights in areas such as:

• Days off each week
• Vacation time with pay
• Paid public holidays
• Overtime pay
• Minimum wage
• Other protection including equal pay, equal benefits, pregnancy leave and notice of employment termination
• Maximum charges for room and board.

Public holidays are days of the year when most workers, including live-in caregivers, can have the day off with pay or receive a premium if they work. In Canada, some common holidays are New Year's Day, Good Friday (Easter), Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Some provinces have one or two extra public holidays.

You have also right to time off. You should have a clear understanding of what your working hours are and when your time off is. If the employer asks you to stay and work after regular working hours, and if these hours would extend the agreed upon hours, you should be paid overtime or given time off.

It is always a matter of mutual understanding and willingness to come to a compromise. You may find that your family is generous and fair on every other issue but often requires you to stay one or two hours longer. You should think about how valuable this time or pay for the time is to you, in comparison to the good working relationship with your employer. Perhaps a talk would help. Never try to be aggressive or demanding. It takes both parties to come to good results.

As with any other problem - talk to us first. We will try to help and get both you and your employer understand each other and the problem.