Certain types of jobs do not provide employment all year round. For example, jobs such as those held by fishermen, forest workers, farm workers, ski resort employees or vacation camp leaders are seasonal jobs. Despite the temporary nature of their employment, all seasonal workers are covered by the Act respecting labour standards, whether they are full-time or part-time employees.

These employees are entitled, among other things, to:

• statutory holiday indemnities
• the vacation indemnity
• leaves for family or parental reasons.

However, it is important to keep certain elements in mind for the following types of workers:

Forest worker

• For forest workers, the normal workweek is 47 hours
  This employee will receive the premium rate (time and a half) only if he works more than 47 hours a week.
• If the employee is paid according to yield, he must receive at least the minimum wage for each hour worked
• Travel time from one work site to another is considered time worked and must be paid
• At the time of hiring, the employer may require that the employee have the work tools to perform the work (example: chain-saw, brush-cutter, etc.)

Farm worker

A farm worker is always remunerated at the regular rate, regardless of the number of hours worked.

• Labour standards in farming enterprises (PDF in French, 444 Ko)

Small fruit picker

• A small fruit picker is remunerated according to yield
• He never receives the premium rate (time and a half) even if he works more than 40 hours a week
• If the state of the fields or the fruit adversely affects the performance of the picker preventing him from earning the minimum wage, the employer must pay him the difference between his wage according to yield and his minimum wage rate

Student employed in a vacation camp

• A student employed in a vacation camp is always remunerated at the regular rate, regardless of the number of hours worked
• If the vacation camp is a social or community non-profit organization, the employee may receive less than the minimum wage

Employee who is required to wear special clothing

An employer who requires that his employees wear clothing that identifies them with the enterprise must provide this clothing free of charge.

• Information capsule “Put your rights to work” Uniform (French version only)

Fisherman

The employee of a factory ship is always remunerated at the regular rate, regardless of the number of hours worked.