Bringing Workplaces Within the Law
(Friday July 8th, 2005)

Too many workers are unaware of their rights, are unprotected or are too vulnerable to protest. Too many employers are under competitive pressure to cut corners, don’t know the law, ignore it, or escape inspection for compliance. These are among the findings of a new study published jointly today by CPRN and the Institute of Public Administration of Canada. New Approaches in Achieving Compliance with Statutory Employment Standards, by Ron Saunders, Director of CPRN’s Work Network, and Patrice Dutil, Director of Research, of The Institute of Public Administration of Canada, calls for creating a 'culture of compliance' regarding employment standards in Canada. The authors propose a mix of tools for achieving that goal efficiently and effectively. The paper is the result of a literature search, interviews with representatives of the public and private sectors, unions and NGOs from across Canada and in the United States, United Kingdom, and New Zealand, and a roundtable to assess an earlier draft. All Canadian jurisdictions legislate minimum standards for such things as wages, overtime pay, paid vacations and public holidays, maternity or parental leave. 'Without such laws, workers with the least power in the workplace can be victimized,' says Saunders. 'But laws are ineffective if governments fail to promote and enforce them.' Vulnerable workers aren't the only ones to benefit from minimum employment standards. Workers who are treated fairly are more productive. They also rely less on expensive social programs for assistance. Proper enforcement of the law prevents non-compliant employers from undercutting fair employers. To read more, click here. Source: Canadian Policy Research Networks newsletter