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Although Christmas is the season of good cheer, it also means an increase in shopping and longer business hours.
As a result, the Labour Department is reminding business owners and employees to follow the regulations of the Shops Act.
Persons are reminded that while overtime is expected, it is not compulsory.?? Excluding unforeseen circumstances, employers should give reasonable notice to workers of expected overtime. Similarly, employees should also give reasonable notice when they cannot meet their overtime assignments.
Under the Shops Act, overtime rates apply to any work done after eight hours in a work day, or, more than five days in a work week.?? Employees are entitled to two days off per week, as well as a lunch break after four and-a-half hours of each work day.
The minimum wage for hourly paid Shop Assistants is $6.25 per hour, while the payable daily wage is $50 and $250 for weekly paid workers. Overtime rates are calculated at one and a-half-times the normal rate, and double pay on bank holidays.
Employers are also reminded that under the Shops Act, opening hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily.
Additional information on the Shops Act may be obtained from the Labour Department at 310-1500.??