Welcome to the NCHR e-newsletter - December, 2024 edition. Please enjoy!
Ontario Employers: Important Changes are Now in Force
We have seen many changes to legislative requirements for Ontario employers over the past few years. Recently, the ‘Working for Workers’ series of legislation (as it's commonly referred to), has initiated significant changes to the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and the Ontario Employment Standards Act (ESA).
The Working for Workers Act (Four and Five) include some provisions that have already come into effect, while others are set to be implemented in the near future. Summary highlights are outlined below for select changes that may impact your workplace.
Effective Now
However, employers can ask for a suitable medical note to substantiate sick time off in excess of the three unpaid-day entitlement (on the fourth day, for example). Employers may also request notes from a qualified health practitioner as evidence of entitlement for other leaves of absence.
Effective July 1, 2025
Effective January 1, 2026
Publicly advertised job postings by employers with 25 or more employees will require the following:
NCHR will provide further updates about Working for Workers legislation in the coming months.
Thank you and Happy Holidays
Thank you to all our readers and wonderful clients for entrusting your HR challenges to NCHR in 2024.
Happy Holidays, everyone!
NCHR is here to help.
Contact us for more information: info@nchr.ca - 905-818-NCHR - http://www.nchr.ca
This e-newsletter from NCHR Consulting & Recruitment Services contains important information about HR related legislative updates and other best practice suggestions and lessons learned, to help you better manage your business and employee situations.
Please find other recent e-newsletters below:
09/12/2024 - Recruitment Tips in Ontario's Tight Labour Market
06/13/2024 - NEED TO KNOW - More Legal Updates for Employers in Ontario
03/27/2024 - Employers Are Still Responsible for Health & Safety When Employees Work from Home
12/15/2023 - Ontario Job Postings Requirements are Likely to Change in 2024
09/21/2023 - Employers - Manage Carefully When Employees Request Time Off Work
06/21/2023 - Flexibility - A Highly Sought After (and Affordable) Employment Perk
03/22/2023 - Employee Onboarding - The Lost Art
Ontario Employers: Important Changes are Now in Force
We have seen many changes to legislative requirements for Ontario employers over the past few years. Recently, the ‘Working for Workers’ series of legislation (as it's commonly referred to), has initiated significant changes to the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and the Ontario Employment Standards Act (ESA).
The Working for Workers Act (Four and Five) include some provisions that have already come into effect, while others are set to be implemented in the near future. Summary highlights are outlined below for select changes that may impact your workplace.
Effective Now
- The Definition of Harassment has Been Revised – The definition of workplace harassment and workplace sexual harassment now includes harassment occurring in a virtual workplace. Make sure you update existing Harassment in the Workplace policies accordingly.
- Sick Notes – Employers are no longer permitted to request a note from a doctor to substantiate employees’ entitlement to ESA Sick Leave (up to three unpaid days). Employers retain the right to ask for other forms of evidence, if required.
However, employers can ask for a suitable medical note to substantiate sick time off in excess of the three unpaid-day entitlement (on the fourth day, for example). Employers may also request notes from a qualified health practitioner as evidence of entitlement for other leaves of absence.
Effective July 1, 2025
- Information for New Hires – Employers with 25 or more employees will be required to provide basic operational information such as its legal name, contact information of the employer, information such as new hire starting wages, anticipated hours of work, and a description of ‘where’ the employee will work, to new hires in advance of their first day of work.
- Washrooms – Employers and constructors will be required to ensure washroom facilities provided for workers are maintained in a clean and sanitary manner, and that records of cleaning are maintained and available as required.
Effective January 1, 2026
- Job Postings - We now have some clarity to the pending changes required on job postings in Ontario. We will discuss these requirements more fully in the future, but for now, here are some of the more prominent highlights.
Publicly advertised job postings by employers with 25 or more employees will require the following:
- The expected annual compensation range of the role (provided it’s less than $200,000) must be included in the job posting. The range must not exceed $50,000.
- A disclosure if artificial intelligence is being used in the screening or candidate assessment process.
- Confirmation if the role is being posted for an existing vacancy.
- The prohibition from including requirements related to Canadian work experience in job postings.
- As well, candidates interviewed for a publicly advertised job posting must be advised whether a hiring decision has been made within 45 days of their last interview.
NCHR will provide further updates about Working for Workers legislation in the coming months.
Thank you and Happy Holidays
Thank you to all our readers and wonderful clients for entrusting your HR challenges to NCHR in 2024.
Happy Holidays, everyone!
NCHR is here to help.
Contact us for more information: info@nchr.ca - 905-818-NCHR - http://www.nchr.ca
This e-newsletter from NCHR Consulting & Recruitment Services contains important information about HR related legislative updates and other best practice suggestions and lessons learned, to help you better manage your business and employee situations.
Please find other recent e-newsletters below:
09/12/2024 - Recruitment Tips in Ontario's Tight Labour Market
06/13/2024 - NEED TO KNOW - More Legal Updates for Employers in Ontario
03/27/2024 - Employers Are Still Responsible for Health & Safety When Employees Work from Home
12/15/2023 - Ontario Job Postings Requirements are Likely to Change in 2024
09/21/2023 - Employers - Manage Carefully When Employees Request Time Off Work
06/21/2023 - Flexibility - A Highly Sought After (and Affordable) Employment Perk
03/22/2023 - Employee Onboarding - The Lost Art