Employment contract

The employment contract binding a live-in caregiver and an employer includes the following:

• Description of duties
• Work schedule
• Holiday
• Wages
• Living conditions
• Obligations of the employer

The live-in caregiver and the employer may agree on working conditions that exceed those stipulated in the Act respecting labour standards.

The live-in caregiver and the employer are each responsible for respecting the terms of the employment contract that they sign.

Learning French

The Ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles (MICC) requires of the employer a commitment to the foreign worker to facilitate her access to French courses outside working hours. In accordance with this requirement stated in the employment contract, the employer must support her apprenticeship of French by avoiding changes to her work schedule or by adjusting it to the course schedule. It is important for the worker to discuss this issue with her employer upon arrival in Québec.

Changing an employment contract

The employment contract may be changed provided that the caregiver and employer agree on the wording of the changes. The changes must comply with existing laws and regulations.

Terminating the employment contract

Before terminating the employment contract, the live-in caregiver must give her employer in writing, at least one week's notice. She must also inform the MICC in writing.

If the live-in caregiver has worked at least three months for an employer, the employer must, as stated in the employment contract, give her in writing, at least one week's notice before terminating the employment contract. If the live-in caregiver has worked continuously for at least one year for the employer, notice must be given at least two weeks before terminating the contract. The employer must also give written notice of contract termination to the MICC and Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC).

	PRACTICAL ADVICE
	The employment contract is a legal document. Read it carefully before signing. Find out about provisions of the act concerning live-in caregivers by reading the document entitled Labour standards in Québec and domestics residing with their employer (PDF, 580 Kb), prepared by the Commission des normes du travail.

Useful link

• Commission des normes du travail