The current Labour Standards Act was passed in 1977. Major amendments were made to the Act in 1995. The Act applies to all Saskatchewan employers and employees except farm workers and employees who work in federal jurisdictions such as railways, banks, airports, radio and television, etc. There are also some partial exemptions from specific sections of the Act. For example, managers are exempt from the overtime provisions.
Teachers are exempt from the sections on annual and public holidays and hours of work.
The Act promotes fairness in the workplace by setting the basic rules for workers and employers. Union contracts and professional association agreements build on the rights provided to workers in the Act. Saskatchewan Labour has e8ight offices across the province to administer the Act . They provide information, investigate complaints and help to resolve disputes. The Act protects employers from unfair competition in the marketplace by ensuring all employers operate under the same workplace rules.