Employment Standards Act

What Is the Employment Standards Act (ESA)?

The Employment Standards Act (ESA) is provincial legislation that sets the minimum employment standards for workers in British Columbia, including basic rights related to pay, hours of work, leaves, and termination.

For teachers, most working conditions are governed by the collective agreement, which often meets or exceeds ESA minimum standards. In these cases, the collective agreement takes precedence. However, the ESA remains important because it establishes a legal baseline that cannot be undermined and may apply in areas not specifically addressed in the collective agreement.

Understanding the ESA helps teachers recognize their fundamental employment rights, identify when standards may be misapplied, and know when an issue should be addressed through the union. Together, the ESA and the collective agreement provide a framework that supports fair, respectful, and lawful working conditions in public education.

Below is current till Sept 2025 ESA about leaves (Maternity, Parental, Family etc)