Employing Minors in BC Licensed Businesses:

This a question that keeps coming up, and the answer depends very much on the nature of your business. As with all regulations there are also various exceptions, but here is a simple breakdown:

If you have approval for minors to be in your premises, then you may employ them; but they cannot be involved in serving liquor at all. (There are exemptions for Licensed Arenas – please contact us for further information).

If there is a restriction on the hours minors may be present – your minor employees most follow the same rules.

Minor employees (like customers) may be present at any time. Minor employees of 16 or over may not open, pour, or mix drinks; but they may carry open drinks to tables. They can also clear tables of unfinished liquor. They must be under the supervision of adult staff while doing so. Minors at Catered event can be restricted by LCRB or the host.

Minors cannot be employed in LRS – They may be in the store while accompanying an responsible adult.

Unaccompanied minors are allowed in RLRSs and may be employed in these stores. However, minors cannot purchase liquor or be involved in the sale of liquor -They can be involved in receiving liquor orders in storage room; stocking shelves in liquor section; and assembling liquor orders for pick up (excluding bagging at the till). The can also process recycling returns for empty liquor containers.

Minors cannot be in the liquor service area, or be involved in Liquor Service.

Minors can be employed in a manufacturing facility and and in any endorsement areas, but may not be employed to sell or serve liquor.

Please feel free to reach out if you have questions – We hope this helps make the varying rules more clear.

Pro Tip: If you have staff working in more than one kind of licensed area, it is key for them to understand the difference between the requirements for each area – This often causes issues for Resort style businesses or hotels, that may house multiple licensed areas….