Hello! I (22 female) am looking for some advice and couldn’t find the answers on Google. Essentially, I’ve been working an internship the past few months in Canada, for 17.50/hr. My pay was paid roughly half by my employer, and half through a government subsidy program (designed to give interns experience and jobs and encourage company’s to hire them). My 160 hours were supposed to be completed by March. However, me and my boss agreed that I would work less hours per week due to school, and that I’d be able to finish my 160 hours of work after March / throughout the summer. However, the government program wasn’t flexible like that, and all my pay had to be sent to me by the end of my original internship. So, in March, my boss just paid me my entire internship’s pay (both his half and the gov subsidy half), and we just agreed that I’d finish my hours until I’ve worked for the amount I was paid in advance. Nothing was signed, just a verbal agreement. The only contract signed was my original job contract.
I still have about 65 hours left, on top of a second job. I’ve realized that by agreeing to accept all of that pay “in advance” that I’m essentially trapped until I work enough to pay it off. I’ve also just simply become dissatisfied with the company. I don’t know the rules around this. Was this allowed? I wish I had been more thoughtful and not note off more than I can chew, but I am working, going to school, taking care of a dog, and entirely self-reliant, so it had felt necessary.
Advice appreciated!