Your Child’s First Job: How Well Do You Know the Rules?

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For many teens, the start of the school year means the start of a first job. The law sets out many rules for things like pay, work schedules, breaks… and they’re not always what you might expect. Take our quiz to test your knowledge of these rules!

The rules in this quiz apply to most employees in Quebec. However, there are some exceptions. For instance, different rules apply to people who work for banks or telecommunications companies.
A young employee wearing a uniform, arranging vegetables in a supermarket.
Quiz Règles travaille après l’école ANG

1. At what age can you generally start working in Quebec?

Wrong Answer

In general, a teen must be at least 14 years old to work in Quebec. However, children under 14 can work in certain specific situations, such as performing in artistic productions or providing help with homework.

Did you know? Before 2023, there was no general minimum age for working in Quebec. The Act respecting the regulation of work by children changed that. Employers who hire children without following these rules can face fines of up to $50,000.

Correct Answer

In general, a teen must be at least 14 years old to work in Quebec. However, children under 14 can work in certain specific situations, such as performing in artistic productions or providing help with homework.

Did you know? Before 2023, there was no general minimum age for working in Quebec. The Act respecting the regulation of work by children changed that. Employers who hire children without following these rules can face fines of up to $50,000.

2. Your 15-year-old’s supervisor is asking them to work until midnight on Mondays. Is this legal?

Wrong answer

Employers must make sure that employees under 16 can be home by 11 p.m. This rule does not apply to employees who are 16 or older.

Correct answer

Employers must make sure that employees under 16 can be home by 11 p.m. This rule does not apply to employees who are 16 or older.

3. At 2 p.m., your child’s supervisor asks them to cover a two-hour shift after school for a sick coworker. Can your child refuse this request?

Wrong answer

An employee can refuse to work outside their usual daily hours if their employer asks them to do so less than five days in advance. This rule applies to all employees, including teens. Employers must follow several rules when asking employees to work overtime.

Correct answer

An employee can refuse to work outside their usual daily hours if their employer asks them to do so less than five days in advance. This rule applies to all employees, including teens. Employers must follow several rules when asking employees to work overtime.

4. True or false: the minimum wage for employees who receive tips is lower than the minimum wage for other employees.

Correct Answer

The law sets different minimum wage rates. Since May 1, 2026, the general rate has been $16.60 /hour, while the rate for employees who receive tips was set to $13.30/hour. An employee is generally considered to receive a tip if they earn money from customers on top of their regular wages and if they work in one of the following types of businesses:

  • a hotel,
  • a restaurant,
  • a campground,
  • a restaurant that offers delivery services.

Wrong Answer

The law sets different minimum wage rates. Since May 1, 2026, the general rate has been $16.60 /hour, while the rate for employees who receive tips was set to $13.30/hour. An employee is generally considered to receive a tip if they earn money from customers on top of their regular wages and if they work in one of the following types of businesses:

  • a hotel,
  • a restaurant,
  • a campground,
  • a restaurant that offers delivery services.

5. True or false: An employer can refuse to pay your child for their trial period if they decide not to keep them as an employee.

Wrong Answer

An employer must pay for all hours worked, including hours worked during a trial period, even if they decide not to keep your child as an employee afterward.

Correct Answer

An employer must pay for all hours worked, including hours worked during a trial period, even if they decide not to keep your child as an employee afterward.

6. Your child works at a restaurant and drops a tray during their shift. Who has to pay for the broken dishes?

Wrong Answer

In general, your child’s employer cannot ask them to pay for broken or lost equipment. The employer must cover losses caused by these types of accidents. These losses are considered part of the costs of running a business.

Correct Answer

In general, your child’s employer cannot ask them to pay for broken or lost equipment. The employer must cover losses caused by these types of accidents. These losses are considered part of the costs of running a business.

7. Which of the following is an employer responsible for?

Wrong Answer

Employers are responsible for taking the necessary measures to protect the physical and mental health of all employees. This includes taking steps to prevent workplace harassment.

Correct Answer

Employers are responsible for taking the necessary measures to protect the physical and mental health of all employees. This includes taking steps to prevent workplace harassment.

8. True or false: If your child gets injured at work, you’re responsible for covering the medical care expenses related to the injury.

Wrong Answer

When a child gets injured at work, their parents generally do not have to pay for costs related to the injury. If certain conditions are met, the injury may be considered a workplace accident. Your child may then be entitled to compensation from Quebec’s labour board by following the process set out by law. The labour board’s official French name is the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST).

Correct Answer

When a child gets injured at work, their parents generally do not have to pay for costs related to the injury. If certain conditions are met, the injury may be considered a workplace accident. Your child may then be entitled to compensation from Quebec’s labour board by following the process set out by law. The labour board’s official French name is the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST).

9. True or false: Your child’s employer can refuse to give them a coffee break.

Wrong Answer

The law doesn’t require employers to give employees a coffee break. However, if an employer chooses to give employees a coffee break, that break must be paid.

The rules are different for meal breaks. Your child’s employer must give them a meal break of at least 30 minutes after five consecutive hours of work. Unlike a coffee break, a meal break is generally unpaid.

Correct Answer

The law doesn’t require employers to give employees a coffee break. However, if an employer chooses to give employees a coffee break, that break must be paid.

The rules are different for meal breaks. Your child’s employer must give them a meal break of at least 30 minutes after five consecutive hours of work. Unlike a coffee break, a meal break is generally unpaid.

10. Your child decides to quit their job to focus on their studies. How much notice must they give their employer?

Wrong Answer

The law doesn’t say exactly how much notice an employee should give before quitting. However, the law specifies that the notice must be reasonable. What’s considered “reasonable” depends on several factors, such as the type of job and how long your child has worked for that employer.

Employers, on the other hand, generally have notice periods to follow if they want to end your child’s employment.

Correct Answer

The law doesn’t say exactly how much notice an employee should give before quitting. However, the law specifies that the notice must be reasonable. What’s considered “reasonable” depends on several factors, such as the type of job and how long your child has worked for that employer.

Employers, on the other hand, generally have notice periods to follow if they want to end your child’s employment.