how common is it to not have benefits in this industry??

Paving is good for fuel consumption. Sit there at $90/h with the engine off.

 

4% annual is minimum mandatory vacation pay in Ontario as well as 9 paid statutory holidays annually. That equates to about 4 weeks of pay each year for employers to dole out.

 

Jazz, remember that most of the forum members here are from the US. They have a different system regarding holiday and stat pay.

That being said, enough Canadian employers try to dodge that responsibility.

 

https://www.labor.ny.gov/workerprotection/laborstandards/faq.shtm#9

Q: Must an employer pay workers for holidays, sick time and/or vacations?

A: Under the New York State Labor Law, payment for time not actually worked is not required unless the employer has established a policy to grant such pay. Holidays, sick time and/or vacations fall under 'time not worked.' When an employer does decide to create a benefit policy, that employer is free to impose any conditions they choose. Fringe benefits may include:

• Reimbursement of expenses or tuition
• Health coverage
• Payment for - Sick time - Vacation - Personal leave - Holidays

 

Or in any other western civilized country than the USA. I used to get mandatory 28 days paid holiday when I lived in the UK, and that was as soon as you were hired as a permanent full time employee. Some companies did require you work a month for them before you took it though.

 

"especially in ny" Hmm.

I believe Prince Andrew would beg to differ. Right before he reminded you that New "Yowk" is the Progressive Capital of the USA and told you that you are not a "weal New Yowkew".

I suggest that you do this: Save up money for the time you want to take off so the lack of pay for those days doesn't hurt your budget. Then take as much time as you need.

If you don't have "paid time off" then you can take as much time as you can afford to for your vacation. It isn't limited to five days the first year, ten the next, etc. It really comes down to telling the boss that you won't be available for these dates and you being able to cover your expenses for them.

How can they really complain if they haven't set up the "paid time off" trap? "I ain't working these days. You ain't paying me for them, so they aren't yours. They're mine." You advise them ahead of time and you take them. Don't be an ### and pick the busiest time on their schedule to take off, obviously. If they claim you quit for not showing up, you go make a claim for unemployment with a copy of your vacation letter while you find another job.

Paid time off is a trap, by the way. It's the employer telling you exactly how much time you are allowed to take off from work each year. If they don't specify it, then it is negotiable. Think on that for a while. Trigger Warning: You may have subversive thoughts.

If you are a good employee and they need workers, they may grumble, but they will accept you taking the time. I assure you that they are taking a vacation this year. If they see no reason for an employee to get away from them for a few days every now and then you need to find another employer.

I see this as a freedom. You apparently see this as a burden. Tastes vary.

 

Are you being paid on 1099

 

Having paid vacation time does not preclude taking unpaid vacations. It's purely a benefit.