BC MINIMUM WAGE INCREASED ON JUNE 1, 2020

The BC government is moving ahead with their planned 75 cent/hour increase to the minimum wage, which comes into effect on June 1, 2020.  This increase brings the minimum wage to $14.60/hour and is the third increase in a series of four scheduled increases as part of the government’s plan to bring the minimum wage to $15.20/hour by June 1, 2021.

The minimum wage applies to all employees, regardless if they are paid hourly, salary, commission or on an incentive basis. The employer is responsible for ensuring that their employees are paid at least the minimum wage for the hours they work, and if an employee’s wage is below the minimum, the employer must top up their payment to bring the employee’s wage to the minimum level.

This increase will impact various sectors including the retail and food service/accommodation industries, which account for a significant portion of minimum wage earners. The news comes at a critical time for businesses as many continue to navigate the myriad of challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, with some struggling to stay afloat. As the province begins to relax restrictions and implement BC’s Restart Plan, businesses will have to take into consideration this wage increase as they plan to reopen their doors.

Have questions regarding this topic?  This post was authored by Ryan Chan. Please don’t hesitate to contact him at rchan@harpergrey.com or anyone else listed on the authors page.