FAQ: Employment Standards Poster
What You Should Know About The Ontario Employment Standards Act
What's New?
Minister Publishes New Version Of The Employment Standards Poster
The Minister of Labour has published a new version of the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) Poster. "What You Should Know About The Employment Standards Act" Version 4.0 is available:
- In PDF format
- Through ServiceOntario Publications
- At ServiceOntario Centres
Version 4.0 of "What You Should Know About The Ontario Employment Standards Act" reflects recent changes to the ESA regarding minimum wage, reservist leave, declared emergency leave, Family Day, and the employees who qualify to take a family medical leave.
A previous version is already posted in the workplace. Does it have to be replaced by the Version 4.0?
Yes. The earlier version should be removed from the workplace and replaced with Version 4.0.
What happens if version 3.0 is not replaced by the new version?
- February 15th to April 11th, 2008:
As a transition, employment standards officers may issue Compliance Orders for failure to post the new version of the poster. Notices of Contravention or prosecutions may be initiated only for failure to comply with a compliance order. Failure to post the required version of the poster is a contravention under the ESA. - On and after April 12th
Officers may use the full range of enforcement measures to ensure that employers are complying with the requirement to post Version 4.0. This can include issuing Notices of Contravention with monetary penalties.
Who needs to post the poster?
Most workplaces covered by the Employment Standards Act are required to post the poster.
How can I get the poster?
The poster is available:
- In PDF format
[ 47 KB ]
You can download, view and print the poster. See "How do I print the poster" for more information. You need to have Adobe® Reader® 4.0, or later, installed on your computer. You can download this free software from Adobe.
- Through ServiceOntario Publications
- At ServiceOntario Centres
How much does the poster cost?
It is free of charge to download. See "How do I print the poster" for more information.
How do I print the poster?
This poster must be printed out on legal-size (8 ½" X 14") paper. It can be printed in colour or black and white.
- Select Print from the toolbar on your computer.
- A print window will open.
- Click on Properties and select the paper size as "Legal", 8 ½" X 14".
- Click OK.
To view and print PDF files, you need to have Adobe® Reader® 4.0, or later, installed on your computer. You can download this free software from Adobe.
If you are unable to print the poster, please contact the Ministry of Labour Employment Standards Information Centre at 416-326-7160 in the Greater Toronto Area, or 1-800-531-5551 province-wide.
For your convenience, an HTML copy is also provided.
Please note that it is the poster in PDF
format that must be printed and posted in the workplace.
If you have any questions concerning the information in this notice please contact the Employment Standards Information Centre at 416-326-7160 or toll free at 1-800-531-5551.
Employment Standards Information Centre
416-326-7160 (Greater Toronto Area)
1-800-531-5551 (toll free Canada-wide)
1-866-567-8893 (TTY for hearing impaired)

