On May 23, 2017, the Government of Ontario released the Changing Workplaces Review final report by authors C. Michael Mitchell and John C. Murray. It contains 173 recommendations that endorse significant changes to Ontario employment law aiming to create better workplaces with decent working conditions and widespread compliance with the law. The authors consulted with workers, unions and businesses for two years on a wide range of work-related issues. This was the first independent review in Canada to consider specific legislative changes to both employment standards and labour relations in a single manner.

The following is a brief overview of what has been recommended of interest to employers, HR and payroll professionals, Unions and other interested stakeholders, and what they need to be aware of—including what you need to do to prepare for these significant changes to your workplace practices.

1. Creation of a “Workplace Rights Act” that combines three