Ontario continues to get closer to a major rework of the labour laws.
The legislation, known as the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017 has gone through several rounds of public feedback. This is part of the continuing evolution of employment law in Ontario.
As a result of this feedback, the legislation has been modified in a number of ways:
- An exemption to the minimum 3 hours of pay to be provided to employees whose shifts are cancelled on less than 48 hours’ notice if related to weather issues
- Confirmation that paid emergency leave days are to be paid at the regular rate (not at an overtime or premium rate)
- The addition of a leave of absence of up to 17 weeks in the case of Domestic or Sexual Violence Leave
- Exemptions to the right to refuse work on less than 96 hours in the case of a threat to public safety
The legislation, if passed, would represent a major change to Ontario’s employment laws. We will accordingly continue to provide updates as they become available.
