Historically, Ontario’s employment standards laws have been reviewed and updated frequently to address changes in the workplace. As expected, the provincial government has adopted various changes to employment standards in the last year or so. Understanding and following the Employment Standards Act requires that those affected by changes make the time to read about them and ask questions if something is unclear.
In addition, it is the employers’ responsibility to apply and communicate to employees the ESA changes as clearly and quickly as possible. It is also your job to stay informed.
Attending the 2011 Ontario Employment Law Conference is a way to get the latest on what you need to know on this important topic.
For example, the Open for Business Act, 2010 amended the ESA employment standards claim process as of January 19, 2011. These changes require employees, where appropriate, to notify their employer before an Employment Standards claim can be filed and investigated. Meaning, employees must take the first step to try to resolve any wage disputes directly with their employer before they file a claim. This is intended to encourage early resolution of disputes.
In addition, the role of the Employment Standards Officer has been enhanced by allowing them to facilitate settlement and come to decisions where a party fails to make all relevant information available when a claim has been filed.
This change is good for employers, as it allows employers who may previously have been unaware of their ESA responsibilities the opportunity to remedy their actions when a potential violation is brought to their attention by their employee. Further, the changes ought to allow standards officers, the Ministry of Labour and the Ontario Labour Relations Board more time to focus on more contentious and complicated matters.
But there is more…
The conference’s Employment Standards Update also covers:
- Recent changes to the ESA temporary agency worker provisions
- Common misconceptions about hours of work, overtime, holidays and statutory leaves
- How to audit your organization confidentially and tips for implementing change without raising eyebrows
- How to respond to a complaint or audit
We invite business owners and managers who are grappling with workplace and employment law issues in the province of Ontario to attend the conference. Register for the 2011 Employment Law Conference—and Learn the latest! (Registrations now closed)
Yosie Saint-Cyr
First Reference Human Resources and Compliance Managing Editor
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