Find out about Employment Standards Act

What is the Employment Standards Act?

The Employment Standards Act and Regulation set the minimum standards for employment in Yukon.

The Act covers most employers and employees. It does not apply to:

  • territorial, First Nations and federal governments;
  • employees who are covered by a collective agreement (unless it does not meet the minimum standards);
  • employees who are excluded by regulations, such as sitters (a person who is hired on a causal basis to look after a child, a disabled person or other person in a private residence); and
  • employees who are employed by sectors that fall under the federal jurisdiction. These include:
    • banks;
    • airlines;
    • inter-provincial trucking companies;
    • post offices; and
    • radio and television stations.

What are your rights and responsibilities as an employee?

The Act sets out the rights and responsibilities of employees and employers, such as the following:

  • hours of work;
  • minimum wage;
  • annual vacations;
  • general holidays;
  • maternity and parental leave;
  • equal pay;
  • termination of employment;
  • special leave without pay; and
  • payment of wages.

For more information

This fact sheet provides more detail on the following:

  • payment of wages;
  • records;
  • wage statements;
  • deductions;
  • time for payment of wages;
  • reduction of wages;
  • method of payment of wages;
  • general exemption regulation;
  • hours of work and overtime;
  • overtime pay examples; and
  • time off with pay instead of overtime.