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Employment Standards Information Centre

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Employment Standards

Employment standards are enforced under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) which sets out the minimum standards that employers and employees must follow.

For a brief introduction to the Employment Standards Act, 2000, see "Your Rights at Work", a handy brochure explaining its general parts and provisions. For a detailed description of your rights and responsibilities under the ESA please see "Your Guide to the Employment Standards Act". This guide is a convenient source of information about key sections of the ESA and is filled with helpful examples.

The poster, "What You Should Know About the Ontario Employment Standards Act", outlines employees’ rights and employers’ responsibilities at work and must be posted in most workplaces. Version 4.0 has been published to replace the poster currently posted in workplaces (Version 3.0).

For ease of use and convenience, there are e-forms for employers to apply on-line for Hours of Work and Averaging Overtime and for employees to file an employment standards claim on-line. Employees can also use the Self Help Kit to help them resolve issues with their employer on their own.

The Fact Sheets are also convenient sources of information about key sections of the legislation. These publications are provided for your information and convenience only.

Employment Standards publications are available online. They are not legal documents. For the exact wording, please refer to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 and its regulations.

The Ministry of Labour, through its Employment Standards Program:

  • enforces the ESA and its regulations
  • provides information and education to employers and employees, making it easier for people to understand and comply voluntarily
  • investigates possible violations
  • resolves complaints
  • conducts proactive inspections of payroll records and workplace practices

Please note that the ESA does not apply to you if you operate or work in a business that is regulated by the Government of Canada, such as: airlines, banks, shipping companies, radio and television stations, inter-provincial transport of goods and people.

 
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Complying With Employment Standards: What Businesses Need to Know

Are You a Caregiver in the Federal Live–in Caregiver Program?

Try Out The New Public Holiday Pay Calculator

Employee Rights In Bankruptcy Protection And Bankruptcy⁄Receivership | Federal Wage Earner Protection Program

Regulatory Modernization Act, 2007 (RMA): Designations Regulation For Enabling RMA

Report Card: April 2009

 
Heat Stress
 
Posting and Training Requirements
 
Young Workers
 
Holiday Pay Calculator
 
Public Holidays
  • July 1, 2009
    Canada Day
  • September 7, 2009
    Labour Day
  • October 12, 2009
    Thanksgiving
  • December 25, 2009
    Christmas Day
  • December 26, 2009
    Boxing Day
  • January 1, 2010
    New Years Day
  • February 15, 2010
    Family Day
  • April 2, 2010
    Good Friday
  • May 24, 2010
    Victoria Day

Get the facts about Public Holidays

 
 
Employment Standards News

May 27, 2009
New Legislation Will Assist Living Organ Donors

More news...

 

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Last modified: July 2, 2009