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"Always look before you leap"...

Although it is an old axiom, it is one to live by, as I recently found out in my search for seasonal employment.

Like many secondary school and post secondary students were doing this summer, I was in a desperate search for a summer job. After all, living in this fast paced world is no longer cheap. Although secondary school can end up costing hundreds of dollars, the most devastating financial blow comes with post secondary school. Post secondary will usually cost thousands of dollars after one factors in all expenses, including tuition fees, textbooks, transportation/residence, and other miscellaneous fees that the institute may impose on its students. Without any source of income, it would be difficult, or nearly impossible, for parents to shoulder the burden alone. Granted, some children have no siblings and have parents who are wealthy, affluent, and have the ability to pay these expenses in full. However, despite any scholarships and bursaries that they may have been awarded, students who come from middle to low income families may have little or no savings at their disposal. Thus, these unfortunate individuals are forced to choose between two options: get a seasonal or part-time job, or complete post secondary with a massive student debt. Naturally, many choose to work, as I did.

The Job bank site has a separate "Student Job" section for youth.

Unfortunately, I did not think everything through before starting one of my part time jobs.

Allow me to explain exactly what happened. On June 24, 2004, I went to a local business to inquire as to whom I should make out my cover letter and resume to, as I have always been taught that it is better to address a person rather than to use "Dear Sir or Madam", "To Whom it May Concern", or some other generic opening in a cover letter. Upon meeting with the manager, I was promptly informed to "just bring a resume, no cover letter". Although this was highly unusual and disregarded everything that I was ever instructed, I chose to obey his wishes. The next day, I dropped off a resume only.

I let one week lapse, and then I return for a follow-up. After asking an employee for the manager, whom I request my name, I was fortunate enough to speak with him. I ask him if he has had a chance to review my resume, and he replies by stating "give me a few more days". Thanking him for his time, I leave.

So I choose to let one week lapse again before I return for a second follow-up. Once that time has passed, I return and what follows was essentially the same as before: I ask for the manager by name, I get to speak with him, I inquire about the status of my resume, and he once again tells me that he needs "a few more days". One thing is different, though. This time, he remembered my name, despite the fact that he was not certain. I know this because he said to me "You're Cody, right?? To me, this was a good sign, indicating that my resume had impressed him and that I would be getting a call soon.

Yet, this person's indecisiveness and inefficiency does not prevent me from looking for other jobs. While continuing with my follow-ups, I also continue the job hunt. I was determined to find a job, regardless of where I had to go.

So I return for my third, and as I decided, final follow-up. It was the same procedure as before:

1. ask for manager;
2. get manager;
3. talk to manager;
4. manager recognizes me and addresses me by name;
5. manager states that he needs "a few more days";

One thing is added, though. This time, he asks me about my plans for September. When I tell him that I will be attending post secondary and would be unable to work, he seems disappointed. I cannot understand why he should be, for I stated right in the objective of my resume that I was seeking seasonal employment.

Regardless, I found two other jobs while I was waiting for him to make up his mind. When he eventually did, though, it was August 7, and he wanted me to "come in" on August 8 at 1:00pm. He did not say what for, but I assumed that it was for an interview and so I prepared accordingly. As it turned out, it was an interview, and I was hired that day.

However, things went downhill from there. To start, he NEVER asked for my Social Insurance Number until the second week of employment, and he was giving me the worst possible tasks, while everyone else received better tasks. In addition, I asked him if I could be moved to a different position in the future, in order to gain experience in that capacity and to put my skills to better use. He denied my request because he claimed that he did not need any more people in that position. By the end of that week, however, I noticed new employees in the position that I asked to be transferred to.

On my last Friday of employment, he asked me if I could work on Sunday. I told him that I doubted I could, as I had an appointment, but I told him that I might be able to. In response, he told me that I should call IF I COULD WORK, and that I was not to call IF I COULD NOT WORK. In other words, if he received no phone call, he knew I could not work. As I expected, I was unable to work that day, so I did not call, as per his instructions.

Monday morning comes, and I call him as soon as the store opens in order to schedule shifts for the coming week. He informs me bluntly that "he really could have used me on Sunday and I should have called him". After reminding him of my appointment I had, he fired me and told me to come and pick up my paycheque at the end of the month. Knowing that this is illegal (employers must pay you within 48 hours if they terminate employment), I call him back and quote part 2, section 18, paragraph 2 of the BC Employment Standards Act, which clearly states that "[a]n employer must pay all wages owing to an employee within 48 hours after the employer terminates the employment". Avoiding the issue and insulting me, he hangs up on me. Consequently, I am forced to head there in person with legal papers. What follows is a time-ordered list of events for that day:

• 8:30am - I call asking to schedule shifts and am fired;
• 8:50am - I call back quoting the Employment Standards Act, at which point he insults me, avoids the issue, and hangs up
• 11:15am - After consulting the local Service Canada for Youth, obtaining the proper legal forms, and filling them out, my mother and I arrive at the business. The manager is with a vendor and asks us to wait 15 minutes for the paycheque, so we return to our vehicle;
• 11:30an - My mother and I return to the business, and the manager asks us to wait another 5 minutes, which we do;
• 11:55am - My mother looses patience and walks up to the manager, who is "helping" (pretending to be busy with) a trainee, and demands that he pay the wages. The manager goes to the bathroom;
• 12:00pm - The manager enters his office and begins to write on a sheet of paper;
• 12:05pm - The manager exits his office and asks for me to sign a contract he has drawn up stating that he has paid me my wages by cash in full, seeing as I was never entered into the payroll records during the two weeks he had me as an employee. I refuse to sign until he pays me. He then proceeds to obtain the money;
• 12:10pm - I am paid and I sign the sheet AFTER he finally agrees to sign it as well, thus making it legally binding. He proceeds to take the only copy, at which time I demand he make me a copy;
• 12:15pm - He finally finishes photocopying the statement. After insulting me several more times and swearing at me, I obtain my copy and leave;

As can clearly be seen, something was wrong with this whole situation from the beginning: he did not bother to read my resume in full, or he would have realized that I was seeking seasonal employment; he never asked for my SIN number at the time of employment; he was insulting and rude; he avoided paying me my wages; I was never "on the books" as an employee; and he paid me by cash.

In the end, I wish that I had thought a little more carefully and did some more research before attempting to obtain a job here. Another student at my secondary school was employed at the same place earlier in the year, but disappeared after a few weeks. If only I had asked her why she was no longer working there, I probably would have got the whole truth about this place. Nevertheless, I probably would have quite soon in any case, as he was the lowest paying of my three jobs, the rudest of my three employers, and the one who was giving me the least hours. I suspect that he was actually looking for a reason, any reason to fire me, for he did give indications that he NEVER desired seasonal employees.

To summarize, do not make the mistake I made. Check the reputation of the business you want to work for before you apply for a job. Far too many youth are being exploited by dishonourable, scheming individuals. After all, we are new to the workforce. Unless we are informed of the regulations and laws governing employment, we are perfect "marks" for people like this. Here are some disturbing statistics that support this assumption

So what can we do to protect ourselves? For starters, read the Employment Standards Regulations in Canada, and ensure that you are familiar with it, particularly the clauses that apply to youth. In addition, learn about the provincial Employment Standards that apply for your specific province. These two steps should help you get an idea of what you are entitled to as an employee. Still, do not stop at this. Also check out the Better Business Bureau report on the company. Seeing as how the report measures the integrity of the company, you can also gauge how the employer treats his or her employees from this report as well. For instance, it is unlikely that a company that has had many customer service complaints has many employees who are content with the treatment they receive by the employer. If possible, talk to some of the current employees (outside of business hours or when other employees and managers/supervisors are not around) and ask them what working for the company is like.

Remember, "Knowledge is Power"