Overtime laws involve complexities that, if missed, can result
in large claims against employers. This article will provide a
reminder of BC's overtime laws and highlight some tips and
traps for employers to assist in navigating this field.
What are the requirements for overtime pay or
"banking" overtime?
Employees are entitled to be paid time and a half for any hours
worked over 8 hours per day and over 40 hours per week. Employees
are entitled to be paid double time for any hours worked over 12
hours per day.
The obligation to pay overtime arises whether the employer
directly requires overtime work or indirectly permits overtime. If
an employer is aware that an employee is working overtime and takes
no action to stop the overtime work then, if the employee later
files a complaint with the Employment Standards Branch (the
"Branch"), the employee will likely be owed overtime pay.
Employers should have a specific system to authorize and record
overtime.
