In New Brunswick, any training that your employer makes mandatory is legally considered “work.” Under the Employment Standards Act, you must be paid for all mandatory training hours, orientation sessions, and required staff meetings, and your wage cannot fall below the provincial minimum rate.
Starting a new job or learning a new skill for your current role is always an exciting opportunity. However, whether you are training as a barista in Dieppe, completing an online safety module for an industrial job in Saint John, or attending a weekend sales seminar in Fredericton, your time has distinct value.
A common myth in the workplace is that “training hours” or “trial shifts” do not have to be paid. This is entirely false. If an employer in New Brunswick requires you to be somewhere to learn how to do your job, they must compensate you for that time. If your boss refuses to put those training hours on your paycheque, knowing your legal rights is the first step to getting paid. 📍
Step-by-Step Process in New Brunswick
Addressing unpaid training hours requires clear communication and solid documentation. Here is how you can effectively claim your rightful wages without immediately escalating to a legal battle.
Step 1: Determine if the Training is Truly Mandatory
The law distinguishes between mandatory training and optional self-improvement. If your boss tells you that completing a specific first-aid course or watching an orientation video is required to keep your job, that time is legally considered work.
Conversely, if your employer simply posts a flyer about an optional evening seminar that might help you get a future promotion, and you choose to attend voluntarily on your own time, they are generally not required to pay you.
Step 2: Gather Your Proof
Before demanding payment, collect your evidence. Save any emails, text messages, or written memos from your manager that explicitly state the training was mandatory. 📝
Keep a personal log book detailing the exact dates and times you spent in training, whether it was in a classroom, shadowing another employee on the floor, or completing modules online at home.
Step 3: Request Your Wages in Writing
Often, missing training pay is just an administrative error by the payroll department. Send a polite, professional email to your manager or Human Resources department.
State clearly that your recent paycheque did not include the hours you spent completing the mandatory training on specific dates. Ask them to kindly adjust your next paycheque to include those missing wages in accordance with the New Brunswick Employment Standards Act.
Step 4: Escalate to the Employment Standards Branch
If your employer flatly refuses to pay you, claiming that “we don’t pay for training here,” it is time to escalate. 💼
You can file a formal complaint with the New Brunswick Employment Standards Branch. A government investigator will review your evidence, contact your employer, and can issue a binding order forcing them to pay you for the hours you spent training.
How Much Does it Cost in New Brunswick?
Claiming your rightful training pay should never put you out of pocket.
| Factor | Financial Details (CAD) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Training Wage | Minimum Wage Rate | By law, you must be paid at least the current provincial minimum wage for every hour of mandatory training. |
| Filing a Complaint | Free ($0) | The government does not charge employees to investigate and recover unpaid training wages. |
| Lawyer Consultation | $150 – $300 | Optional. A law firm can help if you are claiming thousands of dollars in unpaid specialized corporate training. |
- Training Costs: Not only must you be paid for your time, but your employer generally cannot force you to pay out-of-pocket for mandatory, job-specific training courses or uniforms.
- Overtime: If attending a mandatory weekend training session pushes your total weekly hours above 44 hours, those extra training hours must be paid at the overtime rate (1.5 times the minimum wage).
How Long Does the Process Take?
Resolving this issue internally is always the fastest route.
If you politely notify HR of the missing training hours, they should legally include the corrected amount on your very next regular paycheque. However, if the employer denies your request and you must file a claim with the Employment Standards Branch, the government investigation process typically takes between 2 to 4 months to force the employer to hand over the money.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I get paid for a “trial shift” or “working interview”?
Yes. If you are performing tasks that benefit the business-like serving coffee, answering phones, or stocking shelves-even just to “see if you are a good fit,” this is legally considered work and must be paid.
What if I complete the training online at home?
Location does not matter. If your employer requires you to complete WHMIS training or watch orientation videos from your living room couch, you must track that time and they must pay you for it.
Can they pay me a “training wage” that is below minimum wage?
No. New Brunswick law dictates that your hourly pay can never fall below the provincial minimum wage, regardless of whether you are in training, on probation, or a fully trained veteran employee.
What if I fail the training test? Do they still have to pay me?
Yes. You are paid for the time you dedicated to the mandatory event at the employer’s direction. Failing an assessment might mean you do not get to keep the job, but it does not erase the hours you legally worked.
Are mandatory staff meetings considered training?
Yes. Any meeting, briefing, or team-building event that your manager says is mandatory is considered working time and must be fully compensated.
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