Department Holds Information Seminars on Changes to the Prince Edward Island Employment Standards Act

* Community Services and Seniors [to May 2015]
Changes to the Prince Edward Island Employment Standards Act will come into effect on October 1 and, to help inform Islanders, the Department of Community Services, Seniors and Labour will be holding information seminars across the province for employers and employees, says Community Services, Seniors and Labour Minister Janice Sherry.

“The amendments to the Employment Standards Act represent the most comprehensive examination of the legislation in the past 15 years,” said Minister Sherry. “Over this time, other provinces have continued to enhance their employment standards legislation because the workforce continues to grow and change and Island workplaces have also changed during this time. The act will ensure that the legislation is more current and reflects the modern workplace and will help our province become more in line with other jurisdictions.”

Amendments to the Employment Standards Act were passed in the legislature and the new changes, which will affect both employers and employees, will come into effect on October 1, 2010.

The seminars on the changes to the Act will be held at locations across the province over the coming weeks and will be beneficial to both employers and employees. A variety of topics will be covered including Vacation Pay, Statutory Holidays, Special Leaves, Notice of Termination, Sexual Harassment, Wage Recovery, Overtime, Reporting Pay and other areas of concern.

Pre-registration for the seminars is required. Those interested in registering can do so by calling (902) 368-5550 or 1-800-333-4362 or by emailing hawalsh@gov.pe.ca. Associations or companies wishing to have separate seminars or additional information can also call the Employment Standards Branch at 368-5550 or visit the website at www.peiemploymentstandards.com.

Information Seminars:

Kings County

Rodd Brudenell River Resort, Brudenell

Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at 9:30 a.m.

Bluefin Restaurant (Downstairs), Souris

Thursday, September 23, 2010 at 1:30 p.m.

Queens County

Delta Prince Edward, Gulnaire Room, Charlottetown

Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at 1:30 p.m.

Thursday, September 30, 2010 at 9:30 a.m.

Prince County

Lakeview Loyalist Resort, Summerside

Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at 1:30 p.m.

Rodd Mill River Resort, Mill River

Thursday, September 16, 2010 at 1:30 p.m.

Access PEI (Dalton Annex Building), Tignish

Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 1:30 p.m.

Media Contact: Laura Steeves