As Remembrance Day falls on a Sunday this year, there will be special rules in place for Retail Businesses. Most non-essential businesses are required to close until 1pm on Nov. 11 to commemorate Canadian contributions and sacrifices in wars and international conflicts.
Retailers in communities that normally allow Sunday shopping can be open, but must follow both the Remembrance Day rules and the Retail Businesses Holiday Closing Act (Sunday shopping rules). This means retail businesses can be open no earlier than 1pm and must close no later than 6pm.
Manitoba’s Remembrance Day legislation applies to retailers that sell or offer to sell goods and services; tradespeople or professional services; rental companies; and businesses charging admission to performances such as movies, concerts, theatre, exhibits and sports events.
The prohibition of work on Remembrance Day does not apply to workers such as:
* employees of hotels, restaurants and continuous operation businesses (excluding retail);
* police officers, firefighters and security officers;
* hospital, domestic, child-care and home-care employees;
* employees required to supply heating, gas, lighting, electrical or water services, or to provide emergency repairs for these services;
* hotels, restaurants and continuous operation businesses (excluding retail) employees;
* employees providing transportation services for goods or passengers by railway, aircraft or motor vehicle;
* employees in care of perishable products or live animals, or in the farming industry;
* employees of registered brokers who conduct business for clients on stock exchanges outside Manitoba;
* commemorative or religious service providers; and
* employees of newspapers, telecommunication carriers, television or radio stations and cable television companies.
Employees working on Remembrance Day are entitled to one and a half times the regular rate of pay for all hours worked, but not less than half the normal working hours of a regular working day, in addition to five per cent of their earnings in the 28 days before Remembrance Day. Employees in retail establishments have the right to refuse work on Remembrance Day, as they do on Sundays, by providing 14 days notice.
For further information, visit www.manitoba.ca/labour/standards or call Manitoba Employment Standards at 204-945-3352 in Winnipeg or 1-800-821-4307 (toll-free).
