Human Rights and an Employer's Duty to Accommodate In Ontario, all employees are protected by a provincial law called the Human Rights Code ("Code"). The Code has a very important role in protecting people to ensure they are not discriminated against not only at work, but also when it comes to
Got a New Employment Contract? What You Need to Know in Ontario.
It's always an exciting time being offered a new job opportunity - a new role, a fresh start and - most importantly - more pay, perks and benefits. But with that new gig may also come a request from your new employer that you sign a new "employment contract," before you begin your first day on the
Employee Rights in Ontario
In Ontario, What Are an Employee's Basic Rights at Work? In Ontario, employment is governed by a variety of different laws. As a result, employment law is highly specialized, complex and consistently changing. However, there are specific legal rights that employees in Ontario workplaces are entitled
Terminating Employment in Ontario: Just Cause vs. Without Cause
In Ontario, if an employer wants to end an employee’s job with the company, it generally has two options: It can either terminate the employee “with cause” or “without cause.” This is an all-or-nothing rule, and there is simply no middle ground for an employer to argue it almost had just cause for
How Can I Tell If I’m an Employee or Independent Contractor?
I am often asked by my clients the following question: “am I an employee or independent contractor?” This is an issue that both employees and employers often struggle with in Ontario, but understanding the difference is important in any work arrangement. In our experience, workers are sometimes
Top Things to Look For in an Employment Contract
Top Things to Look for in an Employment Contract In Ontario, every employee has an employment contract with their employer that states the terms of their job. It can be either oral or written. If an employment contract is in writing, it is especially important for an employee to review it with an
What is the Employment Standards Act?
The Employment Standards Act (ESA) is the law that establishes important legal rights for most employees in Ontario. It says that employees are entitled to “minimum” work standards that their employers have to satisfy, including: Minimum Wage: most workers must be paid at least the "general"