Can an employer charge me money to get hired?

You do not have to pay money or a fee to an employer so that you can get a job.

Before they hire you, an employer might ask you to pay them to look at your job application. Or they might ask you to pay for things you need to do your job like:

• supplies or equipment
• training

The law says you should not have to pay for these things before you're hired. But some people choose to pay because they really want the job.

Beware of scams

Sometimes when companies ask for these fees, there's no job. It's just a way to trick you into giving them money.

This has happened to people who answered ads that said if you pay the company:

• they'll give you a job cleaning offices
• you can make a lot of money from home doing things like stuffing envelopes or making cheap craft products
• they'll use the money for a visa to get you a job outside Canada

Paying for things once you’re hired

After you're hired, an employer can ask you to pay for a uniform or other personal items for work, like a pair of work boots. They can take the cost of the item from your pay only if you agree in writing about the amount.