Community Employment Resource Centre
What’s inside:
«
The Story of The
Contingentworker
«
Questions about Temp Agency Work
«
The Assertive Job Hunter
«
We’re Back!
«
Websites of Interest for The
Contingentworker
The Story of The
Contingentworker.
Who is the contingentworker?
Virtually anyone who does not have a
full-time job with security and benefits; temporary, part-time, on-call,
contract, seasonal workers, day-labourers, multiple-job holders, self-employed,
are all defined as contingent and are a growing part of our economy.
“As a temp agency worker, you have all the rights
in law that any employee has. The following laws apply to you and your
employer:
Ø
Employment
Standards Act
Ø
Human Rights
Code
Ø
Occupational
Health and Safety Act
Ø
Workplace
Safety and Insurance Act
Ø
Employment
Insurance”
Source, and for more information about the above mentioned laws visit: www.contigentwork.on.ca/weblinks.htm
Pros and Cons of
the Contingentworker:
“Pros:
à
More flexible work schedules and
independence.
à
More freedom to choose who you work for.
à
Chance to have many work experiences and
gain new skills.
à
Develop a wide variety of work contacts for
your network.
Cons:
à
No guaranteed annual salary from one
employer.
à
No work security.
à
No health or dental benefits.
à
No sick leave.
à
Work is often short term by its very nature.
à
May be looking for work
frequently.”
Source: www.worksearch.gc.ca
Questions about Temp. Agency Work
Q: Should I use a temp. agency rather than
apply to employees directly?
A: It might be easier talking to someone who
will earn a fee by helping you find a job than to someone who has the task of
selecting one employee from numerous applicants. But keep in mind that there is
a good reason why companies are willing to hire an employment agency to help
them find employees.
Q: Who is my employer when I’m working as a temp?
A: “The temp agency is your employer. It has the same responsibilities as any other employer with
regards to your paycheque; making contributions to Workers Compensation, Canada
Pension, Employment Insurance and deducting Income Tax. The company where you actually work is the
temp agency’s client.” They pay the agency for the work you do, plus a fee for
the agencies “services” like recruiting, scheduling and paying you. For example, the company may get $ 15 an
hour, but you get paid $ 9 per hour.
Q: Can the company at the work site hire you
directly?
A: “Yes – you can be hired by any employer
offering you a job. When you start working for a temp agency, ask about their
policy on converting temporary assignments to permanent jobs. Temp agencies
don’t make money if you are hired directly by the client company. So some temp
agencies charge the client company a “fee” if they want to hire you directly”.
Q: Can I sign up with more than one agency?
A: “It is perfectly legal to sign up with, and work with, more than one
temp agency at a time.”
Q: Who is supposed to keep the time sheets?
A: “It is the temp agency’s legal responsibility to keep track of the time
you work. It is wise to keep your own records as well, in case you have a
problem with your pay.”
Q: What happens if I get hurt at work?
A: “Tell the temp agency AND the company you’re working for about the
injury right away. Also, inform your treating physician that you were injured
at your work. You may be able to get Workers Compensation benefits to cover
some of your lost wages and health care costs. You are entitled to return to
work with the client company or to other similar work from the temp agency.”
Source:www.toffeonline.org
The Assertive Job Hunter
To prosper in today’s workplace, you need to
take active steps to manage your career; market yourself and develop new skills
“How to be a pro-active
career planner.
à Be curious. Constantly research your field
of career interest whether you have a job or not.
à Be a long-term thinker. Keep an eye on
trends to anticipate what will happen in your industry.
à Be open-minded.
à Be committed to lifelong learning.
To prosper today, you will have to continuously upgrade your skills and learn
new ones.
à Be an opportunity-maker. Look for areas that
lack skilled workers and build your knowledge in that area.
à Be a networker. Your
contacts may be your lifeline to the work you want to get.
à Be a top-notch work searcher. Make sure you
have the know-how to market
yourself well.”
Source: www.worksearch.gc.ca
Starting September we’re back at our outreach centres!
Days and Times:
Bewdley Optimist Club:
7417 Lake Street, Bewdley
·
Tuesday’s
9: 00 am– noon
Colborne Public Library:
# 1 Toronto Road, Colborne
·
Thursday’s
2:00 – 5:00 pm
à www.gov.on.ca/LAB/esa/
esa_e/gu_e_tc.htm
à www.fairjobs.org/fairjobs/
contingent
“What you do to get somewhere is who you
become when you arrive.”
- Geneen Roth