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Introduction This blog post provides a detailed overview of the development of employment law in Canada, with an emphasis on Ontario. It traces major legislative milestones, key judicial interpretations, and policy changes from pre-Confederation through to the present day. The evolution of employment law is examined in chronological and thematic segments: early employment laws of …

Navigating the complex world of employment termination can be challenging—especially when it comes to understanding the nuances of severance in Ontario. While many employees are familiar with statutory severance pay provided under the Employment Standards Act, common law severance can often offer significantly more compensation. In this post, we’ll explore what common law severance in …

A non-compete agreement is defined in the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”) as: 67.1 …[A]n agreement, or any part of an agreement, between an employer and an employee that prohibits the employee from engaging in any business, work, occupation, profession, project, or other activity that is in competition with the employer’s business after the employment …

When searching for a job, individuals may turn to a temporary help agency or a recruiter for help. A temporary help agency is defined in the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”), as an “employer that employs persons for the purpose of assigning them to perform work on a temporary basis for clients of the employer”. …

If an employer is unable to provide work for an employee but doesn’t want to lose the employee long-term, the employer can lay the employee off for a short period of time in a “temporary lay-off”. An employee who is part of a temporary lay-off will return back to their place of employment after the …

The Occupational Health and Safety Act (“OHSA”) addresses the rights and responsibilities of different parties in the workplace, outlines how workplace hazards should be dealt with, and provides enforcement mechanisms for parties that do not comply with the rules. What are the Responsibilities of Employers Under the OHSA? Under the OHSA, an employer must take …

Not all workers are considered employees. Sometimes, the relationship between a worker and the person who is requesting that the work be done is just one of contract, not of employment. In the Ontario, the rules that provide minimum protections for employees are contained in the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”). The text of the …

In Ontario, there are a number of measures to ensure protection of workers’ rights. In the event that workers exercise their rights, there are statutory measures that prohibit employers from punishing workers. These measures aim to ensure that workers not only have rights but are able to freely exercise them. Workers’ rights are granted under …

What is Pay Equity? Ontario’s Pay Equity Act states that the purpose of the act is to “redress systemic gender discrimination in compensation for work performed by employees in female job classes.” What does that mean, and how does it differ from the rules on “equal pay for equal work” that are found in the …

Think about preparing for a shift at work. The process of getting ready and going to work may involve putting on a uniform, driving or taking public transportation, styling your hair to look presentable, and any number of other tasks. If you were to get prepared to work, show up at work, and get sent …