Kids in Restaurants

Update! Kids in Bars?? (March 2007)

In June 2005, the Alberta government changed the rules governing the employment of 12-14 year olds in restaurants. Employers no longer require the permission of the government to hire kids to serve tables, make coffee or tend the cash register. The rules were changed in secret. The only group consulted was the restaurant industry association. The public wasn't told.

The AFL made the new policy public last summer. The public outcry was loud and clear - Albertans did not want employers having a free reign with kids. The government made small administrative adjustments to the rules, but refused to back down.

No one asked for these changes. The public opposes the change. It is clear the rules were softened to expand the pool of cheap labour for restaurants struggling in the tight labour market. Rather than make restaurants improve their working conditions, the rules just increased the number of workers who could be mistreated.

The AFL opposes the new rules for three reasons:

1. 12-year olds are too young to work around busy commercial kitchens. Restaurants can be unsafe places - sharp knives, hot burners and grills, deep fryers. A fast-paced restaurant is not an appropriate workplace for a kid.

2. Potential for Unfair Treatment. Many adults have difficulty standing up for their rights in the workplace. It is much more difficult for kids. They may be unaware of their rights to restrictions on hours of work, breaks, overtime pay, vacation pay and other basic workplace rights. How will they stand up to an employer who wants to treat them unfairly?

3. Inadequate Protection. The government does not have the resources to inspect every workplace where a 12-year old may be working. Under the new rules, they may no longer know where the kids are. If you can't find them, you can't protect them.

List of Employers Hiring 12-14 Year Olds

Through a FOIP request, the AFL has received copies of the forms employers are supposed to fax to the government when they hire an adolescent under age 15. The number of forms suggest most employers are refusing to submit the legally required forms.

The AFL feels Albertans have the right to know which employers are hiring kids under age 15. We have created a file listing all the employers who have submitted forms to the Alberta government - as required by law.

List of Employers Hiring 12-14 Year Olds

The AFL has no information regarding the working conditions at these workplaces. We provide the list without comment on the quality of the workplace. Albertans are asked to make their own judgement about the list.

More Information

Government Rules Regarding Adolescents in Restaurants

AFL News Release, June 2005

AFL Submission to Employment Standards Review Process

AFL News Release June 7, 2006

AFL News Release June 8, 2006

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