ON Chiropractic Winter 2015 | Page 7

ON Chiropractic eating periods equal 30 minutes in total. These breaks are not required to be paid. Overtime: Most employees are entitled to “overtime” for each hour worked in excess of 44 hours in a single week. Overtime is 1.5 times the employee’s regular rate of pay for only the hours worked in excess of 44. Salaried employees are also entitled to overtime. This is based on their average hourly rate for a normal work week. Averaging of Time & Time Off in Lieu: Based on a written agreement between the employee and employer and with the approval of the Director of Employment Standards, an averaging agreement can be established wherein an employee works more than 44 hours without overtime in a given week, so long as the average number of hours worked per week during the set period does not exceed 44. The set period is often equal to the usual pay period for the employee but can vary. Employers can also offer paid time off in lieu of overtime pay if the employee agrees. When calculating time off in lieu of overtime pay, an employee is entitled to 1.5 hours of paid time off for each hour worked in excess of 44. Equality of Pay and Benefits: Employers cannot discriminate on the basis of gender when paying male and female employees for equal work. Men and women must be paid equally for equal work. Similarly, if an employer offers a benefits plan to any employees it must be offered to all employees. This does not mean that all employees will qualify for the benefits provided. For example, many group insurance benefit plans do not cover employees who are employed for less than 21 hours per week. Leaves of Absence: Pregnancy leave is available to women as a result of the birth or impending birth of a child. Parental leave is available to both men and women to care for a newly born or adopted child. If pregnancy leave is taken, parental leave kicks in following the p ɕ