Working By the Rules

First: A Word about Workplace Rules

There are different categories of rules that we need to be concerned with in Canadian workplaces:

1. Unwritten Rules like those we discussed in Unit 2: Organizational Culture. These can be both general and specific. A general rule is one that can be observed in many or most workplaces:
   • looking at the floor numbers change instead of looking at the other people while on an elevator
   • standing an arm's length away from a supervisor when you are communicating?
1. Specific rules may be observed only in one company:
   • when Mr. Poon has his door closed do not disturb him…ever!
2. Rules written down by the company or organization. These are called policies and procedures. We will discuss them later. They include areas such as sick benefits, bereavement leave, time off, and dress codes.
3. Government Legislation. These are usually referred to as acts or codes and there are consequences if they are not followed. The acts and codes are legislated documents. What do you think this means The Federal or Provincial Legislature enacts the codes and acts. Do you think a government should be involved in setting rules for business? Why is it a good idea or a bad idea? In Canada, both the Parliament of Canada and Provincial Legislatures have the power to enact labour laws. Provincial Legislatures have major jurisdiction.

The Canadian Labour Code governs federally regulated employees. About 10% of all working Canadians are federally regulated. The sectors include:

• air, rail (between provinces), road and pipeline transportation
• broadcasting
• telecommunications
• banking
• uranium mining, some oil and gas exploration
• crown corporations
• federal public service

Think about these sectors. Why are they federally legislated?

There are also pieces of legislation dealing with particular sectors and professions (like medicine). A province or the Federal Government may regulate these. A trip to your local reference library or a visit to your provincial government's web site will help you explore the details of the sector you plan to enter.

Areas common to all employees working in Canada are employment standards, human rights and health and safety, specifically WHMIS. WHMIS is the short form for Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System. Some of the legislation is federal and some provincial. If you plan to work in a federally regulated sector, you can find lots of information at this web site:

http://labour-travail.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/doc/lab-trav/eng/pdf/hrdc.pdf

The following information is based on the Province of Ontario. Much of it will be the same in other provinces, but check out the differences at your provincial government web site.