First-Time Supervisor Fundamentals Course: Scheduling and employment standards basics

1. Question 1 of 16

   In Canada, which law usually sets hours-of-work and break rules for a local store or restaurant?

   • AThe employment standards law of the province or territory
   • BNo law; each employer sets its own rules for hours and breaks
   • CThe Canada Labour Code, which covers every employer in the country
   • DThe law of the province where the company owner lives
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The employment standards law of the province or territory

   Only federal industries follow the Canada Labour Code. Other workplaces follow the employment standards of their province or territory.

2. Question 2 of 16

   Which employer is federally regulated, so the Canada Labour Code sets its labour standards?

   • AA bank
   • BA neighbourhood restaurant
   • CA small dental office
   • DA local clothing store
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   Answer: A. A bank

   Banks are on the federal list, with airlines, telecommunications and postal services. Local stores, restaurants and offices are not.

3. Question 3 of 16

   In Alberta, an employee works a 7-hour shift. What break is required?

   • AOne 15-minute break
   • BTwo 30-minute breaks
   • COne 30-minute break
   • DNo break
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   Answer: C. One 30-minute break

   In Alberta, a shift over 5 hours and under 10 hours needs one 30-minute break.

4. Question 4 of 16

   In Alberta, a hotel housekeeper works a 10-hour shift. What breaks are required?

   • ATwo 30-minute breaks
   • BNo break if the worker agrees
   • COne 30-minute break
   • DOne 60-minute break at the end
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Two 30-minute breaks

   In Alberta, a shift of 10 hours or more needs two 30-minute breaks.

5. Question 5 of 16

   In Alberta, a guard must stay on site during the break in case the alarm sounds. Must the break be paid?

   • AOnly if the guard works the night shift or a holiday shift
   • BYes, because the employer restricts what the guard can do
   • CNo, because breaks are never paid under Alberta's rules
   • DOnly if the guard's shift is longer than 12 hours in total
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   Answer: B. Yes, because the employer restricts what the guard can do

   Alberta employers decide if breaks are paid, but a break must be paid if the employer restricts the worker, such as not letting them leave.

6. Question 6 of 16

   When does overtime start in Alberta for most employees?

   • AAfter 10 hours a day or 50 hours a week, whichever comes first
   • BAfter 40 hours a week only, no matter how long each day is
   • COnly for hours worked on weekends and general holidays
   • DAfter 8 hours a day or 44 hours a week, whichever is greater
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   Answer: D. After 8 hours a day or 44 hours a week, whichever is greater

   Alberta uses the 8/44 rule: overtime is hours over 8 a day or 44 a week, whichever gives more overtime.

7. Question 7 of 16

   In Alberta, a server's regular wage is $18.50 an hour. With no banked-time agreement, what is the minimum overtime rate?

   • A$18.50 an hour
   • B$27.75 an hour
   • C$20.35 an hour
   • D$37.00 an hour
   Show answer

   Answer: B. $27.75 an hour

   Overtime pay is at least 1.5 times the regular wage: $18.50 × 1.5 = $27.75.

8. Question 8 of 16

   In Alberta, a cook works 9 hours a day for 5 days (45 hours). How many overtime hours is the cook owed?

   • A0 hours
   • B1 hour
   • C6 hours
   • D5 hours
   Show answer

   Answer: D. 5 hours

   Daily overtime is 1 hour × 5 days = 5 hours. Weekly overtime is 45 − 44 = 1 hour. Alberta uses the greater number, 5.

9. Question 9 of 16

   In Alberta, a retail clerk works 8 hours a day for 6 days (48 hours). How many overtime hours is the clerk owed?

   • A6 hours
   • B8 hours
   • C4 hours
   • D0 hours
   Show answer

   Answer: C. 4 hours

   No day is over 8 hours, so daily overtime is 0. Weekly overtime is 48 − 44 = 4 hours, which is greater.

10. Question 10 of 16

    In Alberta, you want to move a cook from the day shift to the night shift. Outside of exceptions, what notice is required?

    • A1 hour's spoken notice, as long as the cook agrees to it
    • B96 hours' written notice and at least 12 hours' rest between shifts
    • C24 hours' written notice and at least 8 hours' rest between shifts
    • DNo notice at all when the restaurant is busy
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 24 hours' written notice and at least 8 hours' rest between shifts

    Alberta employers cannot require a shift change without at least 24 hours' written notice and 8 hours of rest between shifts.

11. Question 11 of 16

    In a federally regulated workplace, how much written notice of a work schedule must the employer usually give?

    • ANo notice, as long as the schedule is posted
    • BAt least 96 hours before the schedule's first day
    • CAt least 24 hours before the first shift
    • DAt least 2 weeks before the first day of the schedule
    Show answer

    Answer: B. At least 96 hours before the schedule's first day

    Federally, a written schedule must be given at least 96 hours before its first day, unless a collective agreement says otherwise.

12. Question 12 of 16

    In a federally regulated workplace, can the 30-minute break be split into two 15-minute breaks?

    • AOnly on night shifts
    • BYes, whenever the supervisor decides
    • CYes, if the shift is over 5 hours
    • DNo, it must be given in one period
    Show answer

    Answer: D. No, it must be given in one period

    Federal rules give an unpaid break of at least 30 minutes in every 5 consecutive hours, in one period. Alberta, by contrast, allows splitting by agreement.

13. Question 13 of 16

    In a federally regulated workplace, what notice is needed to add a shift to a worker's schedule?

    • AA phone call at least 1 hour before the added shift starts
    • BWritten notice at least 24 hours ahead, except in urgent threats
    • CNo notice for full-time staff, who must be available
    • D96 hours' written notice for every change, with no exceptions
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Written notice at least 24 hours ahead, except in urgent threats

    Federal rules require at least 24 hours' written notice of a shift change or added shift, except for unforeseen situations that pose a serious threat.

14. Question 14 of 16

    In Ontario, an employee must not work more than how many hours in a row without a 30-minute eating period?

    • A5 hours
    • B4 hours
    • C8 hours
    • D6 hours
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 5 hours

    Ontario's rule is a 30-minute eating period after no more than 5 hours in a row.

15. Question 15 of 16

    In Ontario, a worker does four 10-hour shifts and one 6-hour shift (46 hours). How many overtime hours are owed by default?

    • A6 hours
    • B2 hours
    • C8 hours
    • D0 hours
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 2 hours

    Ontario overtime starts after 44 hours a week, with no daily overtime by default: 46 − 44 = 2 hours.

16. Question 16 of 16

    When planning a rotating schedule for a security team, which rotation does CCOHS recommend?

    • ANights only for the newest staff
    • BBackward: nights, then afternoons, then days
    • CA random order that changes each week
    • DForward: days, then afternoons, then nights
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Forward: days, then afternoons, then nights

    CCOHS advises rotating forward because the body adjusts better when shifts move ahead.

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