Rights and Responsibilities of Employees in Ontario

Getting a job is one of the top goals of newcomers to Canada. Employment means financial stability, professional fulfilment and connecting to your community.

Before starting work, it is important to understand some basics; rules, regulations, and laws. These are in place to protect and support every Canadian in their workplace. They aim to ensure that working conditions are fair, safe, and equitable.

Below are the main acts and codes in Ontario.

The Ontario Human Rights Code is a provincial law that gives everybody equal rights and opportunities without discrimination in areas such as employment, housing, and services.

The Code prohibits actions that discriminate against people based on age, ancestry, race, disability, gender identity etc.

The Code works to enable Ontario to be a community of understanding and mutual respect for the dignity and worth of each person. Through this, the Code aims to ensure that each person feels a part of the community and is able to contribute fully to the development and well-being of the community and the Province.

The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario decides if someone’s human rights have been violated. If you think your rights under the Code have been violated, you can file a complaint – called an application – directly with the Tribunal. The Tribunal will decide the best way to deal with your situation. It may also determine that your rights have not been violated or that it does not have the power to deal with your case.

Further reading:
Ontario Human Rights Commission
Ontario Human Rights Code
Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario

While the Human Rights Code gives equal rights to people with disabilities, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is a law that sets out a process for developing and enforcing accessibility standards in government, businesses, non-profits and public sector organizations.

This lets people with disabilities know they can be accommodated in these spaces.
Some examples of this in practice are:

• Having a wheelchair ramp entrance to a building or workplace for people with mobility challenges
• Providing someone with dyslexia extra time for a written test during a hiring process

When applying for a job, the description might read, “If selected for an interview, please inform the hiring manager or the People and Culture team of any accommodations you may require during the interview process.” This allows someone with a disability to ask for accommodation to ensure an equitable application process.

Further reading:
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
Accessible information in Ontario

Employment Standards Act is a law that sets minimum standards for workplaces in Ontario. Such as:

• Legal working age
• Minimum pay/wage requirements
• Legal hours of work
• Rest periods during work
• Types and amount of leave and vacation
• Rights when leaving a job

Before signing an employment contract, ensure that the contract meets or exceeds the minimum requirements.

Further reading:
Employment Standards Act
Your Guide to the Employment Standards Act

Occupational Health & Safety Act is the Ministry of Labour’s strategy to protect workers’ health and safety on the job, so everyone can go home safe.

Under the Act, employers must:

• Provide workers with information, instruction, and supervision
• Advise workers about workplace hazards
• Notify the Ministry of Labour inspectors of workplace fatalities and critical injuries

Most workplaces will educate new employees on their occupational health and safety rights and responsibilities.

Further reading:
Occupational Health & Safety Act
Learn about the Occupational Health and Safety Act

Dixon Hall serves Downtown East Toronto’s community, helping those in need, striving to create a city where everyone thrives.

Web page: https://dixonhall.org/employment-services/

Employment Services email: [email protected]

Employment Services telephone: 416-956-4949