4.10 Can I take paid time off instead of the money?
You can take the overtime in paid time off instead of money if:
- you agree to this;
- you ask to do so; or
- you are covered by a collective agreement.
For example, you work four (4) hours of overtime. Four (4) times one-anda-
half equals six (6). You can take six (6) paid hours off. You must take the time off within one year. If you do not, your employer must pay you the six (6) hours of overtime.
4.11 Can I refuse to work overtime?
As a general rule, you cannot refuse to work overtime. However, you do not have to work:
- more than four (4) hours more than the normal workday;
- more than fourteen (14) hours in the same day if the normal workday is ten (10) hours or more;
- more than twelve (12) hours in a twenty-four (24) hour period if you do not have set daily working hours;
- more than fifty (50) hours in the same week (unless you have a different regular workweek under the law).
You do not have to work overtime if:
- you have to look after the care, health or education of your or your spouse’s children;
- you have to look after the health of a family member.
However, you must have tried to find a way to look after your family without missing work. This means trying to find someone to look after the family member while you work.