Any time worked on the seventh day requires payment of Double time. The proposed Employment Bill will lower the Standard Hours of Work immediately upon becoming effective, then provides for a further reduction in the Standard Hours of Work in mid 2001. A major new cost is added from the effective date of the proposed Bill by providing in the Standard Hours the meal period of the employee. Employers will be required to pay their staff for the time given for their meal period. Upon implementation of the proposed Bill, the Standard Hours of Work will reduce to 44 hours over five and one-half days, inclusive of meal periods.
Double time is also payable for any work done on the seventh day.
The daily standard will be reduced to 8 hours. Any work done on the sixth and seventh day will require the premium rate of Double time. If this is done, it will be reduce the amount of increase costs to any employer who needs a six-day a week employee. Cost Analysis Normal working hours vary from industry to industry, as well as from company to company. There is also the assumption that the meal periods are currently not paid for.