School is still in session. Are you complying with the Youth Employment Act?
An employer who hires a young person under 16 years of age must follow the Prince Edward Island Youth Employment Act as well as the Employment Standards Act for these workers.
Work restrictions
Young persons under the age of 16 years of age cannot be employed in activities that are likely to be unsafe or harmful to their well-being, including construction work.
In addition, young persons cannot be employed:
- between 11 pm and 7 am
- during normal school hours except if involved in a vocational or an apprenticeship program
- for more than three hours on any school day, eight hours on a day other than a school day, or 40 hours in any non-school week
Employer obligations
An employer who employs a young person is required to:
- act reasonably in assigning duties taking into account the age, knowledge, education and work experience of the young person
- identify any potential danger to the young person’s health and safety and to give appropriate instruction
- personally supervise the work of the young person or ensure the work of the young person is supervised at all times by an adult who has experience of the work
- provide adequate training and courses of instruction before authorizing a young person to perform unsupervised work
When the Youth Employment Act does not apply
The Youth Employment Act does not apply when a young employee attends any course of study at a trade school or who works for an employer who hires only family members.
This article provides only general information. Details of the Prince Edward Island Employment Standards Act and Regulations can be obtained by contacting the Employment Standards Branch at 902-368-5550 (toll free at 800-333-4362)
Visit www.peiemploymentstandards.com for more information. Read the full PEI Youth Employment Act
Original Source: Submitted by the PEI Employment Standards Branch to Employment Journey (June 8, 2021)