Employment Standards

Fairness in the workplace is the right of all Ontarians.

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

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

If you are employed in Ontario, you are probably protected by the ESA. To find out more, check out our General Information Fact Sheet.

Employees who believe their employer has not complied with the law can file a claim with the Ministry of Labour.

Spotlight

New Employment Standards Poster

A new version (6.0) of the mandatory poster is now available.

Minimum Wage Increasing

Minimum wage is going up October 1^st, 2015. See the new rates.

Blitz Results

Protecting vulnerable and temporary foreign workers.

Inspection Blitzes and Initiatives

The 2015-2016 schedule for proactive OHS and ES inspections is now available.

Prosecutions and Convictions: May – June 2014
Minimum Wage Advisory Panel: Report and Recommendations
Employment Standards: Education, Outreach and Partnership

Under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA), most employees earn at least two weeks of vacation time after every twelve months.

Employees are generally entitled to be paid at least 4 percent of their total wages earned as vacation pay.

Learn more about the ESA’s vacation provisions.

New Year's Day: January 1, 2015
Family Day: February 16, 2015
Good Friday: April 3, 2015
Victoria Day: May 18, 2015
Canada Day: July 1, 2015
Labour Day: September 7, 2015
Thanksgiving Day: October 12, 2015
Christmas Day: December 25, 2015
Boxing Day: December 26, 2015

Learn more about public holidays or calculate your public holiday pay.