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.

What's New

Protections For Temporary Help Agency Employees Go Into Effect
November 6 , 2009 - New legislation comes into force today that will ensure temporary help agency employees are treated fairly and have a better chance to move to sustainable employment.

Prosecutions and Convictions: April 2009

Spotlight

 
 

Temporary Help Agencies

November 6, 2009 - Temporary help agencies have new responsibilities. Temporary help assignment employees have new rights.

Did You Know...

The minimum age for working in Ontario is 14 years for most types of work. For example, in a restaurant, the food preparation area would be considered a factory, with a minimum age of 15 years, whereas the cash register would be a shop - minimum age: 14 years. Other types of workplaces have special age requirements too. Read more...

Public Holidays and Calculator

  • New Year's Day: January 1, 2009
  • Family Day: February 16, 2009
  • Good Friday: April 10, 2009
  • Victoria Day: May 18, 2009
  • Canada Day: July 1, 2009
  • Labour Day: September 7, 2009
  • Thanksgiving Day: October 12, 2009
  • Christmas Day: December 25, 2009
  • Boxing Day: December 26, 2009

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