Hello TSSU Member,

We have identified four different wage issues at SFU. These issues are illegal and are also known as wage theft. This guide explains all four and provides an excel template to help you determine if any of these issues have happened to you.

1. What is Underpaying?

2. What is Withholding Pay?

3. What is Deducting Pay?

4. What is Charging Business Expenses?

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Click here for a guide on how to check your pay and to download the pre-made excel template to total up your own pay in.

*For ELC & ITP members please email kdean(at)tssu.ca

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1. How to spot if SFU is Underpaying:

• Underpaying is not paying the full amount on your contract. If your gross earnings in a semester do not equal your total contract value and benefits you are being underpaid. This is illegal.
• Underpaying is also asking you to work over the allotted hours in your Time Use Guidelines (TUG) without extra pay.

Contact tssu(at)tssu.ca if you have gone over your hours or if you are being underpaid.

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2. How to spot if SFU is Withholding Pay (not being paid on time):

• If SFU is withholding your pay because you do not sign a contract "on time" it is illegal.
• If you can provide documentation that you have accepted a position or performed work before the SFU pay period end date you must be paid within 8 days. In British Columbia, all wages earned in a pay period must be paid within eight days after the end of the pay period.

Contact tssu(at)tssu.ca if you have not been paid within 8 days of the payroll dates.

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3. How to spot if SFU is Deducting Pay:

• SFU cannot make deductions from your cheque without telling you. This is illegal. SFU can only make deductions that are required by law.
• Legal deductions are; Income Tax, Canadian Pension Plan, Employment Insurance, and Union Dues.

SFU must seek your agreement in writing for any other deductions. Deductions for overpayment, tuition, accidental scholarship disbursement or any other reason are illegal without your written consent to a mutually agreeable repayment schedule.

Contact tssu(at)tssu.ca if you have any negative numbers on your paystub and don't know why.

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4. How to spot if SFU is Charging you Business Expenses:

• SFU cannot make you pay for any costs for your TA-ship. This is Illegal. Employees are not required to pay for any portion of materials related to your teaching position; this includes photocopying, textbooks, AV costs, lab coats, safety goggles or anything else you need to do your job.

Contact tssu(at)tssu.ca if you have paid any costs of your TA/TM/Sessional or ELC/ITP appointment.

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