On May 3, 2024, the Ontario government announced it will table legislation that, if passed, would amend the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) to increase fines for ESA violations and impose obligations on larger employers with respect to their publicly advertised job postings. Increased Fines Amendments to the ESA would increase the maximum fine for…
Tag: Employment Standards Act
Important Amendments Made to the Temporary Help Agency and Recruiter Licensing Framework in Ontario
On July 1, 2023, a new licensing regime was introduced under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 for any temporary help agency (THA) or recruiter operating in Ontario. Of significant concern to many recruiters and THAs was the requirement to provide a $25,000 irrevocable line of credit in order to be licensed. While the new regime…
Ontario Proposes Changes to Sick Leave Under the Employment Standards Act, 2000
The Ontario government has announced it is proposing changes that would restrict an employer from requiring a medical note to substantiate an unpaid sick leave day under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA). Currently, an employee who has been employed for at least two consecutive weeks is entitled to up to three days of unpaid…
Ontario Seeks Feedback on the Introduction of a Leave of Absence for Long-Term Illness
Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development has announced a consultation on the potential introduction of an unpaid leave of absence under the Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) of up to 27 weeks for employees experiencing serious or critical illness. This would arise either through the creation of a new leave or…
Working for Workers Four Act, 2024 Receives Royal Assent
On March 21, 2024, Ontario’s Bill 149, Working for Workers Four Act, 2024 (Bill 149) received Royal Assent. Bill 149 amends several statutes including the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA), Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 (WSIA), Digital Platform Workers’ Rights Act, 2022 (DPWRA), and Fair Access to Regulated Professions and Compulsory Trades Act, 2006…
Employment Termination Clauses Under Scrutiny – The Latest Update
In Dufault v. The Corporation of the Township of Ignace, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice found the termination provisions of a fixed-term employment contract did not comply with the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) because, among other things, it permitted the employer to terminate the employee’s employment without cause in the employer’s “sole discretion”…
2023 in Review – Key Legislative Updates
Last week we published “The Year in Review – 2023 Cases of Note.” This week we are back with our review of notable legislative updates from 2023 that we believe will be of interest to employers, human resources professionals and pension plan administrators. We also identify some legislation to watch for in 2024. Ontario Employment…
The Year in Review – 2023 Cases of Note
We are back with our annual review of the prior year’s notable cases that we believe will be of interest to employers and human resources professionals. We also identify some cases to watch for in 2024. Next week, we will bring you our review of notable 2023 legislative updates. Cases of Note Employment Termination of…
Ontario Introduces Working for Workers Four Act, 2023
On November 14, 2023, the Ontario government introduced Bill 149, Working for Workers Four Act, 2023. Bill 149, if passed, would amend several statutes, including the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 (WSIA). This FTR Now reviews some of Bill 149’s key features of particular interest to employers….
Ontario Updates Regulation Governing Group Terminations
On November 10, 2023, the government of Ontario filed Ontario Regulation 340/23 (Amending Regulation) which amends the Termination and Severance of Employment Regulation (Regulation) made under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA). The Amending Regulation provides regulatory support for changes to the ESA’s group termination provisions made by Bill 79, Working for Workers Act, 2023 (Bill 79). Under the ESA, employers have an obligation…