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EMPLOYMENT POLICIES & SAFETY AGREEMENT       

UPDATED March 16, 2026

The following Workplace Safety Commitment and Employment Policies outline the standards that guide how we work at Creative Roots Landscaping. They exist to protect our team, our clients, and the reputation of our company. Every employee is responsible for understanding and following these expectations so we can maintain a safe, professional, and respectful workplace.           

Workplace Safety Commitment

Creative Roots Landscaping Ltd. is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for employees, clients, contractors, and members of the public.

Safety is a shared responsibility between the company and all employees.

Creative Roots Landscaping complies with the Workers Compensation Act and WorkSafeBC Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.

Employer Responsibilities

Creative Roots Landscaping will:

• Provide a safe workplace and safe work procedures
  • Provide required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Maintain equipment and tools in safe condition
  • Provide safety training and instruction
  • Investigate incidents and correct hazards

Employee Responsibilities

Employees must:

• Follow company safety procedures
  • Wear required PPE
  • Operate equipment only when properly trained
  • Report hazards, injuries, and near misses immediately
  • Participate in safety meetings and training

Employees have the right and responsibility to refuse unsafe work under WorkSafeBC regulations.

Our Safety Standard

If a task cannot be done safely, it must not be done.

Our goal is that every employee returns home safely at the end of every workday.

EMPLOYMENT POLICIES

These policies exist to protect our team, our clients, and the reputation of Creative Roots Landscaping. They support our core values of safety, communication, professionalism, and caring for one another.

These policies may be updated from time to time. Employees will be notified of any significant changes.

All employees are expected to understand and follow these policies while representing Creative Roots Landscaping.

Please review this document carefully and ask questions if anything is unclear.

1. Safety Policies

1.1 Protective Footwear

CSA approved steel or composite toe boots must be worn at all times while working.

Employees will not be permitted to work until proper footwear is worn.

1.2 Equipment Operation

Employees must not operate equipment they are unfamiliar with.

If unsure about how to safely operate equipment, employees must ask their supervisor for instruction before proceeding.

ACKNOWLEDGE:  You will not operate equipment you are unfamiliar with.    (Initials Required)

1.3 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Employees must wear appropriate PPE whenever operating equipment, working near operating equipment, or performing tasks that present safety hazards.

PPE may include:

• Eye protection
• Hearing protection
• Gloves
• Respirators when required

ACKNOWLEDGE:  PPE must be worn when operating equipment, working near equipment, or when required by the task being performed.    (Initials Required)

1.5 Personal Preparedness

Employees are responsible for bringing sufficient food and water to sustain themselves during the workday.

1.6 Workplace Violence and Harassment

Creative Roots Landscaping maintains a zero-tolerance policy for violence, harassment, or intimidation.

Incidents must be reported to Management or Human Resources immediately.

This includes:

• Harassment
• Bullying
• Threats of violence
• Stalking
• Aggressive behaviour
• Deliberate unsafe use of equipment

2. Clothing and Personal Appearance

2.1 Uniform Provided

Each employee will receive:

• Five (5) company t-shirts
• One (1) hat
• One (1) jacket
• One (1) hoodie
• Gloves as required

2.2 Dress Code

Employees must wear:

• Company issued clothing
• Durable work pants or shorts (denim, khaki, dark brown or dark green)
• Clothing that is safe and appropriate for physical work
• Clothing that fits close to the body
• Clothing that does not present a safety hazard

The following are not permitted:

• Ripped or tattered clothing
• Cut-offs or extremely short shorts
• Dangling jewellery or loose accessories

Medical alert bracelets are permitted.

Hair must be secured if it presents a safety hazard.

Uniform alterations are not permitted.

3. Professional Conduct

Employees are expected to act professionally at all times while representing Creative Roots Landscaping.

Employees must demonstrate:

• Respect for clients
• Respect for co-workers
• Protection of client property
• Professional communication

3.1 Smoking and Vaping

Smoking or vaping is not permitted during work hours, including on company property or client properties.

Violations may result in disciplinary action.

Employees may also be asked to leave the workplace if they arrive smelling strongly of smoke.

3.2 Alcohol at Company Events

Employees must behave responsibly and comply with all laws regarding alcohol consumption at company events.

Creative Roots may choose to provide, limit, or prohibit alcohol at company functions.

Where alcohol is permitted:

• Alcohol consumption is limited to a maximum of two (2) standard drinks per employee. 
• Alcohol may only be consumed after the workday has ended and work duties are complete.
• No employee may operate company vehicles, personal vehicles, or equipment while impaired.
• Creative Roots reserves the right to refuse alcohol service or ask an employee to leave the event if behaviour becomes unsafe or inappropriate.
• Employees who choose to consume alcohol are expected to arrange safe transportation home if needed.
• Alcohol must be **provided and distributed by Creative Roots or its designate. Personal alcohol may not be brought to company events without approval.

Creative Roots may modify or prohibit alcohol service at any time to ensure the safety of employees and others.

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3.3 Respectful Workplace

Employees must not engage in:

• Discriminatory language
• Harassment
• Vulgar or aggressive behaviour

All employees are expected to help maintain a respectful workplace.

3.4 Communication and Team Culture

Creative Roots values open communication and teamwork.

Employees must:

• Respect the chain of command
• Communicate professionally
• Avoid behaviour that damages team trust or workplace culture.

3.5 Client Confidentiality

Employees must respect the privacy of all clients.

Employees must not discuss client details outside of work or with individuals not associated with Creative Roots Landscaping.

3.6 Conflict of Interest

Employees may not accept work from existing Creative Roots clients independently.

This is considered a conflict of interest and may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Exceptions may be approved by company shareholders.

4. General Workplace Policies

4.1 Company Vehicles

Company vehicles may only be used for company business.

4.2 Pets on Job Sites

Pets are not permitted on client properties.

5. Cell Phone and Device Use

Personal cell phones may only be used during designated breaks.

Exceptions:

• Foremen and Managers may carry phones for work communication.
• Department Managers may approve temporary exceptions.

Only one earbud may be used by foremen or managers for work communication.

Phones must not be used during meetings unless required.

ACKNOWLEDGE:  You have read and will follow the Cell Phone Policy.   (Initials Required)

6. Driving and Mobile Devices

• Employees must not use handheld devices while operating company vehicles.
• Employees must safely pull over and stop the vehicle before using a phone.
• Hands-free devices may only be used for essential work communication.
• Violations may result in disciplinary action.

ACKNOWLEDGE:  You have read and will follow the Driving and Mobile Device Policy.   (Initials Required)

7. Employee Benefits

7.1 Education Fund

Employees may apply for partial reimbursement for courses or training related to their development within Creative Roots Landscaping.

7.2 Health and Dental Benefits

After three months of employment employees are eligible and required to join the Group Life and Extended Health & Dental plan.

Creative Roots Landscaping will pay at least 50% of premiums.

7.3 Communication Expectations

Communication is one of Creative Roots’ core values.

Employees are expected to respond to work communications respectfully and in a timely manner.

8. Time Off and Sick Leave

Creative Roots Landscaping operates seasonally from March 1 – December 1.

Time off during the season must be approved in advance.

8.1 Personal Time Off

Employees may take up to 10 working days of discretionary personal time off during the season. This does not apply to legally protected leaves.

Requests must be submitted at least two weeks in advance through the Time Off Request form on the Intranet.

8.2 Paid Sick Leave

After 90 days of employment, employees are eligible for:

• 5 paid sick days
• 3 unpaid job-protected sick days

Sick time must be reported through the Intranet.

Creative Roots may request reasonable proof in accordance with the BC Employment Standards Act.

Seasonal & Returning Employees

For employees who are laid off due to seasonal or temporary work shortages and are subsequently rehired:

• Previous service time will be recognized toward the 90-day eligibility period, provided the employee returns to work within 4 months of their layoff date.
• If the employee has already met the 90-day requirement prior to layoff, eligibility for paid sick leave will resume immediately upon rehire.
• If the break in employment exceeds 6 months, the 90-day eligibility period will restart.

Clarification

This policy applies only where the employment relationship is considered ongoing in nature despite a temporary interruption. Creative Roots reserves the right to determine eligibility based on the nature of the layoff and rehire.

ACKNOWLEDGE:   You have read and understand the Time Off and Sick Leave policy.    (Initials Required)

9. Work Hours and Payment

9.1 Work Week

The standard work week is 40 hours, Monday to Sunday.

9.2 Overtime

Overtime must be approved by a supervisor.

Overtime is paid according to the BC Employment Standards Act.

9.3 Breaks

Employees are entitled to:

• One paid 15-minute break
• One unpaid 30-minute meal break

ACKNOWLEDGE:   You understand the Overtime and Break policies.      (Initials Required)

10. Payroll and Expenses

• Pay periods are bi-weekly.
• Employees are paid by direct deposit.
• Pay stubs are available through Intuit Workforce.
• Approved expenses must include receipts and be submitted on Hubdocs by Foremen or Managers.
• Approved use of personal vehicles for company business is reimbursed at $0.72/km. Mileage must be submitted on the Intranet before the Sunday prior to payday for that pay period. Requests from previous pay periods will not be reimbursed except in exceptional circumstances.

11. Time Tracking

Creative Roots uses the LMN Crew App for time tracking.

Team Foremen record crew hours throughout the day.

Employees should review their hours each pay period and report discrepancies before payroll processing.

12. Employee Referral Bonus

Employees who refer successful candidates may receive:

• $100 after candidate tryout
• $500 after 9 months of employment
• $1000 if the candidate becomes a Foreman/Forewoman

13. Photo and Media Release

Employees consent to Creative Roots Landscaping using photos, video, or audio recordings that include them for marketing, training, or promotional purposes without additional compensation.