The Labour Standards Act and Regulations set out the minimum employment standards in the workplace. Permits, sometimes called “variances,” allow for certain employment standards to be varied, provided the appropriate permission is obtained from the Labour Standards Division. 

The Director of Labour Standards can approve, reject, revoke or alter permits at any time and for any lawful reason.  The Director will generally approve a permit if it meets all of the criteria listed on the application. However, each application is dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

Application Process
Labour Standards only issues permits to employers.  Independent contractors, with no employees, or self-employed persons do not require them.  Application forms may be requested from the Labour Standards Division or downloaded (see below). 

In general, employers apply for permits, not employees.  However, parents and guardians are responsible to apply for the Authorization to Vary Youth Employment Rules Permit if they wish to alter youth employment regulations. 

Applications must be completed, signed and returned to the Labour Standards Division for approval. 

To allow for sufficient processing time, employers should submit their permit applications at least two weeks before they are required.

Permits
The following permits are available under the Labour Standards Act and regulations:

• Averaging of Hours Permit Application (sections 7 and 9) - This permit allows an employer to average the hours of work of an employee or group of employees work over a period of weeks, rather than be limited to eight hours per day or 40 hours per week.
• One Day's Rest in Seven Permit Application - Authorization to vary the rule that employees who work more than 20 hours per week get one day off per week (subsection 13(4)).
• Two Day's Rest in Seven Permit Application - Authorization to vary the rule that employees working more than 20 hours in a retail business with 10 or more employees get two consecutive days off per week.(subsection 13(4)).
• Scheduling Variation Permit Application - Authorization to vary the requirement to post a work schedule or a change to the work schedule (section 13.1).
• Meal Break Variation Permit Application - Authorization to vary the requirement for a meal break (section 13.3).
• Vacation Shutdown Permit Application - Authorization to allow a holiday (vacation) shutdown for less than three consecutive weeks (section 31).
• Move a Public Holiday Permit Application - Authorization to move a public holiday to another day (section 40).
• Youth Employment Permit Application - Authorization to vary the youth employment rules (regulation 9.5).
• Variation to the requirement for the employer to provide 4 weeks’ notice of annual holiday commencement where there is an agreement with the union or for non-union environments where there is agreement between the employer and employee (section 32).
• Authorization to permit the payment of wages during a strike on a day other than the day on which they would usually be paid. Application for this authorization is by a letter of request to the Director of Labour Standards (section 52).
• Authorization to waive the requirement to provide notice of group termination. Application for this authorization is by a letter of request to the Director of Labour Standards (Regulation 22).
• Approval of living accommodation. Application for this authorization is by a letter of request to the Director of Labour Standards (regulation 33).

See also: Guide to Applying for Permits, Licences and Variances

If you have any questions, require authorizations or permits from the Director of Labour Standards, please contact:

Labour Standards Branch
3rd Floor, 1870 Albert Street
Regina SK  S4P 4W1
Toll Free: 1.800.667.1783
Tel: 306.787.2438
Fax: 306.787.4780

Labour Standards District Offices List

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