1. Business and Labor Policies House Policies and Procedures/Contracts Unions Private Enterprise Equal Rights Employee Benefits Employee Rights and Responsibilities 6 areas are discussed in this PowerPoint lecture

2. House Policy All companies have policy to run their business. All companies have policy to run their business. Employees are guided by policy both general and specific Employees are guided by policy both general and specific For example, suppose you worked in a hotel and a guest asked you for a handful of shampoo bottles to take home. What do you say? Will you get in trouble if you say no? This is why companies have policies. You can refer to the company policy to answer most specific questions. Most companies have policy to guide general questions (the customer is right…. You are authorized to refund up to $50 etc.) Policies help in the running of a business. Everyone knows what they are to do in various situations. For example, suppose you worked in a hotel and a guest asked you for a handful of shampoo bottles to take home. What do you say? Will you get in trouble if you say no? This is why companies have policies. You can refer to the company policy to answer most specific questions. Most companies have policy to guide general questions (the customer is right…. You are authorized to refund up to $50 etc.) Policies help in the running of a business. Everyone knows what they are to do in various situations.

3. Unions Generally unions are non-existent in Tourism Industry because of the seasonal nature of the business and small businesses (small numbers bargaining power). Most tourism businesses don’t have enough employees to form a union and many of the jobs are seasonal too which makes it hard to form a union. Generally unions are non-existent in Tourism Industry because of the seasonal nature of the business and small businesses (small numbers bargaining power). Most tourism businesses don’t have enough employees to form a union and many of the jobs are seasonal too which makes it hard to form a union. Unions would significantly increase the cost of small operators because often union contracts include provisions small business owners can’t afford….such as: Unions would significantly increase the cost of small operators because often union contracts include provisions small business owners can’t afford….such as: Guaranteed jobs, higher wages, better working conditions, leave with pay. Guaranteed jobs, higher wages, better working conditions, leave with pay.

4. Private Enterprise Most tourism businesses are run privately. Most tourism businesses are run privately. Many are mom and pop businesses Many are mom and pop businesses Many need help from the government in terms of tax relief and policies to help them be profitable Many need help from the government in terms of tax relief and policies to help them be profitable Small businesses have extra costs such as: Small businesses have extra costs such as: They have to collect GST and PST for the government (have to hire an accountant because of the book work involved) They have to collect GST and PST for the government (have to hire an accountant because of the book work involved) They have various licenses and fees they have to pay (town licenses, Chamber of Commerce Fees, printing costs, etc) They have various licenses and fees they have to pay (town licenses, Chamber of Commerce Fees, printing costs, etc) The minimum wage legislation raises their costs because they have to pay more to their employees The minimum wage legislation raises their costs because they have to pay more to their employees They have to follow work and overtime rules that generally end up costing them more money They have to follow work and overtime rules that generally end up costing them more money

5. Equal Rights Equal pay for equal work means all people should be treated equally in terms of pay. History tells us that women generally get paid less than men for the same work. Equal pay for equal work means all people should be treated equally in terms of pay. History tells us that women generally get paid less than men for the same work. Women have most of the jobs in many of the sectors, especially in hotels and restaurants. Women have most of the jobs in many of the sectors, especially in hotels and restaurants. Many jobs are suited for young people and college students because they are seasonal and are lower paying. Many jobs are suited for young people and college students because they are seasonal and are lower paying. There are few careers that are high paying in the Tourism industry. There are few careers that are high paying in the Tourism industry.

6. Employee Benefits Benefits typically are in the following areas and few tourism related business provide them. Benefits typically are in the following areas and few tourism related business provide them. Sick Leave…where you get paid even though you are at home and sick. Sick Leave…where you get paid even though you are at home and sick. Maternity Leave provides an opportunity to stay at home with your new-born or newly adopted infant. The government provides help in this area through Employment Benefits if you qualify Maternity Leave provides an opportunity to stay at home with your new-born or newly adopted infant. The government provides help in this area through Employment Benefits if you qualify Severance pay is pay given to you when you are fired (or severed) Since most tourism jobs are paid by the hour, severance pay is 1 hour. Severance pay is pay given to you when you are fired (or severed) Since most tourism jobs are paid by the hour, severance pay is 1 hour. Paid training is often available in many careers, but in the tourism sector, much of the training is on-the-job as you are working. You seldom are sent away to learn skills. Paid training is often available in many careers, but in the tourism sector, much of the training is on-the-job as you are working. You seldom are sent away to learn skills.

7. Employee Rights and Responsibilities The main factor that determines how well you are treated as an employee is the amount of commitment the employer has to the employee? Are you hard to replace? If so, you will probably be treated better. The main factor that determines how well you are treated as an employee is the amount of commitment the employer has to the employee? Are you hard to replace? If so, you will probably be treated better. Employees that are treated well generally have more commitment to their employer. Employees that are treated well generally have more commitment to their employer. Low commitment would see the worker leave for another job for $.50 per hr more. Low commitment would see the worker leave for another job for $.50 per hr more. High commitment would see the worker market the business and the town High commitment would see the worker market the business and the town High commitment would see the worker give conscientious work High commitment would see the worker give conscientious work All people have the right to be treated with respect, fairly, and honestly however not all are treated in that manner. If you are not treated fairly you have remedies under the law for unfair treatment as provided in the Code of Human Rights, WCB, Labor Standards etc. All people have the right to be treated with respect, fairly, and honestly however not all are treated in that manner. If you are not treated fairly you have remedies under the law for unfair treatment as provided in the Code of Human Rights, WCB, Labor Standards etc.