MOL Updates

A note from the Minister of Labour:

I am sure you agree that everyone should be able to work without fear of violence or harassment in a safe and healthy workplace. As you know, the OHSA requires employers to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of workers, and provides for enforcement of the law when compliance has not been achieved voluntarily. The Occupational Health and Safety Awareness and Training Regulation, which came into force on July 1, 2014, requires health and safety awareness training for every worker and supervisor under the OHSA. And, in November 2014, the new definition of worker under the OHSA expanded coverage of the act to unpaid co-op students, certain other learners and trainees participating in a work placement in Ontario.

Ontario’s ESA makes it illegal to deduct the cost of “gas and dash” losses from an employee’s wages. Deductions from wages are not allowed for a cash shortage, or for lost or stolen property, if a person other than the employee had control over or access to the cash or property. As Minister Naqvi stated in 2013, it is illegal for an employer to deduct wages from an employee at a gas station if a customer leaves without paying after getting gas. In addition, every gas station should have procedures in place to protect workers from this risk.

The Ministry of Labour is strongly committed to helping both workers and employers become aware of their workplace rights and responsibilities. From October 2012 to March 2015, the ministry completed 434 employment standards inspections of gas stations across the province. Officers determined that $312,154 in wages were owing to more than 2,900 vulnerable employees. During that same period, officers found 14 violations of deductions from wages.

We are committed to working together to make sure all workers know that their employment standards and health and safety rights are protected. Workers can, and should, contact the Ministry of Labour to ask questions or report any concerns without fear of reprisal.

To help ensure that employers understand their obligations and that employees know their rights, the Minister of Labour has prepared and published an Employment Standards poster entitled Employment Standards in Ontario. Employers are required to post the most recent version (6.0) of the poster in the workplace where it is likely to come to the attention of employees. The poster must be displayed in English. If the majority language of a workplace is a language other than English, and the ministry has published a version of the poster in that language, the employer is required to post a copy of the translation next to the English version of the poster.

Employers are also required to provide employees who are covered under the ESA with a copy of the most recent version of the poster. If an employee requests a copy of the poster in a language other than English and the ministry has published a version of the poster in that language, the employer must provide the translated version in addition to the English copy. The poster is available at Ontario.ca/ESA poster in English, French and 10 other languages.

For Employment Standards information you can call 1-800-531-5551 or visit our website at Ontario.ca/employmentstandards. Information is available in multiple languages.

In addition, you may contact the Ministry of Labour Health and Safety Contact Centre anytime at 1-877-202-0008 to report unresolved workplace health and safety concerns or if you suspect unsafe work practices. Call 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, for general inquiries about workplace health and safety.

Kevin Flynn

Minister of Labour

These resources plus more are on the Ministry of Labour’s website at ontario.ca/labour.

Occupational Health And Safety

Occupational Health & Safety Contact Centre

  • Province-wide, toll-free: 1-877-202-0008
  • Fax: 905-577-1316
  • Call any time to report critical injuries, fatalities or work refusals.
  • Call 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday, with general inquiries about workplace health and safety.
  • In an emergency, always call 911 immediately.

Mandatory Poster: Health & Safety at Work–Prevention Starts Here
http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/pubs/posterinfo.php

Ministry of Labour’s Health and Safety home page
http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/

Ministry of Labour’s Role in Occupational Health and Safety
http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/faqs/molrole.php

Province of Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations
http://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90o01

e-Laws provides access to official copies of Ontario’s statutes and regulations.

A Guide to the Occupational Health and Safety Act
http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/pubs/ohsa/index.php

A Guide for Joint Health and Safety Committees and Health and Safety Representatives in the Workplace
http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/pubs/jhsc/index.php

Workplace Violence and Workplace Harassment
http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/topics/workplaceviolence.php

Links to a guide, employer toolbox, video and other material:

Definition of a worker under the Occupational Health and Safety Act
http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/worker.php

MOL Guide: Who is a Supervisor under the Occupational Health and Safety Act?
http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/pubs/gl_supervisor.php

Mandatory Health and Safety Awareness and Training for Workers and Supervisors
http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/training/index.php

Reprisals: Information for Workers and Employers
http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/topics/reprisal.php

Health and Safety System Partners
http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/websites.php

Employment Standards

Employment Standards Information Centre:

  • Toronto: 416-326-7160
  • Canada-wide: 1-800-531-5551
  • TTY: 1-866-567-8893
  • Provides information in multiple languages

Mandatory Poster: Employment Standards in Ontario
Ontario.ca/ESA poster

Ministry of Labour’s Employment Standards home page
Ontario.ca/employmentstandards

Province of Ontario’s Employment Standards Act, 2000 and Regulations
Ontario.ca/laws/statute/00e41

Your Guide to the Employment Standards Act, 2000
Ontario.ca/ESA guide

Complying with Employment Standards: What Businesses Need to Know
http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/es/pubs/fs_compliance.php

Are You Covered by the Employment Standards Act?
http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/es/pubs/factsheets/fs_general.php

Deductions from Wages
http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/es/topics/deductions.php