quote:

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Ontario is introducing legislation Monday that will end the 60-hour work week, forcing employers who want their employees to work more than 48 hours in a week to get permission from both their staff and the government.
In addition, employers will only be allowed to ask for an extension up to a maximum of 60 hours a week, The Canadian Press has learned.

"We want to be able to give people the choice, so they don't feel undue pressure," from employers to work long hours, a government source said.

"It ensures people aren't forced to work longer hours than they want to."

In January, Labour Minister Chris Bentley began consulting with workers and businesses on how to replace the 60-hour work week. At the time, Bentley said the changes had to "balance the needs of workers and employers."

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Although I am pleased to see Ontario leaving the era of Dickensian England, I am waiting to see what Bentley means by "balance."

The 60 hour work week was horrific, but not the only nasty part of Harris's employment legislation. As our friend Shane found out, for example, we could do with better rules for stat. holidays in Ontario, too.

Thoughts?

[ 25 April 2004: Message edited by: robbie_dee ]

I've been screwed over by employers left, right and center. Why? I work minimum wage crappy jobs, and there are no protections for you, unless it has something to do with health and safety (which is then, even iffy), or wages. Anything else, and you're on your own.

The 60 hour work week was a bad idea...but I don't know any employer that forced their employees to work that. (If there were cases of this, I haven't heard of them). There was no need to legislate a 60 hour work week...especially in an era where it's hard enough to come by a job. With workers being able to work 60 hours, rather than 48 hours, it was getting rid of part time employees (or shift working), hence less employed people.

Edited for all those damn typos.

[ 26 April 2004: Message edited by: Nam ]