Published on: 27/05/2015

New changes to Ontario's Employment Standards Act, 2000 came into effect on May 20th that aim to assist workers in better understanding their workplace health and safety rights.

As a result of this change, employers must now provide employees with a copy of the province's employment standards poster, as well as continuing to post it in the workplace where it is likely to be seen. Employers will have until June 19, 2015 to ensure the poster has been distributed.

In the case of new hires, employers will have 30 days from the employee's start date to provide them with the poster and it must be provided in languages other than English if an employee requests a translated version. Translated versions are available from the Ministry of Labour.

Additionally, employment standards officers now have the authority to require employers to conduct a self-audit to ensure the protection of workers' rights covered under the Employment Standards Act. A self-audit requires employers to review their own records to show Employment Standards Officers that they are meeting the requirements of their industry/sector under the Employment Standards Act, which include standards such as:

• Hours of Work

• Eating Periods

• Public Holiday Pay

• Wages and Overtime Pay

More information is available on the Ministry of Labour’s website at http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/es/pubs/poster.php#cost including downloadable versions of the poster.

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