Employment Standards Compliance

If your business operates in Ontario, it is important to ensure that it is compliant with the employment standards legislation that governs your workplace.

Ensuring Your Business Meets Ontario’s Employment Standards

 

In Ontario, the vast majority of employers are required to ensure that their workplace operates in accordance with the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (the "ESA"). Certain employers, such as Telecom companies, the Banks and Airlines, are subject to federal law and must instead comply with the Canada Labour Code (the "CLC").

While the ESA and CLC differ, they generally set out a series of basic obligations with respect to record keeping, payment of wages, hours of work, overtime pay, public holidays, vacations, leaves from work, and termination payments. Failure to comply with legislated minimum standards can result in unintended liability and cost.

If your organization has questions about its obligations to staff, be sure to speak with an experienced employment lawyer. We frequently assist clients with human resource issues in the workplace, such as: Do I have to give workers paid time off for lunch? What happens if a manager stays late — do I owe her overtime pay? When is on-call pay required? In dismissing an employee, what payment obligations do we have? Do all staff get paid for public holidays? What do I have to do when my cashier tells me she is pregnant?

Questions like those above arise in every workplace. Your business needs to have the answers at hand as the Employment Standards Act (among other laws) demands compliance with basic minimum standards.

Our Employment Standards lawyers regularly work with businesses of all sizes to help ensure compliance with Ontario's worker protection laws. Whether it is through a spot audit, representation in a Ministry of Labour complaint, or simply being available for day-to-day strategic advice, we can help navigate your legal rights and responsibilities as an employer.

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Workplace Legal Services for Employers

  • Employment Standards Compliance

    Non-compliance can result in legal issues, making it crucial for businesses to seek legal advice on employment standards and worker rights.

  • Occupational Health and Safety

    From expanding protections for interns to new requirements around workplace harassment, occupational health and safety law now encompasses much more than rules to help prevent accidents at work.

  • Wrongful Dismissal Litigation

    Whether you have received a demand letter from a former employee or been served a Statement of Claim, wrongful dismissal cases can be a painful distraction from running your business. When faced with such claims, it is important to take them seriously and respond effectively.

  • Labour Relations

    Our lawyers are experienced with advising both federally- and provincially-regulated employers and navigating the specific requirements of the Ontario Labour Relations Act and the Canada Labour Code, as applicable.

  • Absenteeism and Attendance Management

    Employee absenteeism can be a strain on your operations and a significant expense. If poorly handled the problem can grow worse, exposing your company to claims ranging from discrimination to constructive dismissal.

  • Employment Contracts

    Drafting a clear and enforceable employment contract that properly protects your interests is one of the most important things that a business can do. Employment disputes often focus on the language used in an employment contract, and its content can come back years later to haunt employers.

  • Workplace Policies

    Clearly-drafted workplace policies should be the cornerstone of employee management at any business. In addition to the benefit that accrues from voluntarily-implemented policies, Ontario law explicitly calls for the implementation of certain policies, such as the requirement to have an anti-harassment policy in place.

  • Human Rights & Compliance

    Our team has significant experience drafting accommodation and anti-harassment policies, as well as litigating these issues in both the courts and human rights tribunals. As such, we are well-positioned to provide advice in regard to navigating these challenges and ensuring a legally-compliant and productive workplace.

  • Employee Termination

    There a number of rules in Ontario that govern how a termination should take place. They can be complex and stem both from statute (being set out in the Employment Standards Act) or the common law (i.e. judge-made law). These rules operate in tandem to set the payment requirements that employers must meet.

  • Strategic Human Resources Support

    We offer a number of strategic services to complement your internal HR functioning, including advice on best practices, drafting a wide range of documents (such as workplace policies and employment agreements) and responding to employee concerns or complaints.

A Proven Track Record of Legal Success

Employment and Labour Laws are not always straightforward, but whether you are an employee or an employer, understanding your rights and duties will only stand to benefit you. Reach out to an employment lawyer or labour lawyer today if you have any questions and be sure to get what you deserve and safeguard yourself for the future. The lawyers at Vey Willetts LLP have a proven track record and are happy to assist.  Our Ottawa employment lawyers and labour lawyers serve clients throughout both Ottawa and Ontario. 

Call us today at 613-238-4430, 1-800-296-7989 or fill out our online form.