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Know Your Employment Rights

Knowing your rights and responsibilities helps protect you and keeps your employment secure while studying in Ontario. 

 

Check out our guide below to learn your rights and responsibilities when it comes to college, and the available resources to support you along the way.

Employment Rights

  • Provincial and Federal Employment Legislation

    Depending on the type of industry you are employed within, different employment legislation applies to your job. The following industries are federally regulated and use the Canada Labour Code (The Code) for employment legislation:

    • Air Transportation (Airlines, airports, aerodromes and aircraft operations)
    • Banks (Including authorized foreign banks)
    • Grain elevators
    • Feed and seed mills, feed warehouses and grain-seed cleaning plants
    • First Nations band councils and Indigenous self-governments (certain activities)
    • Most federal Crown corporations
    • Port services, marine shipping, ferries, tunnels, canals, bridges, and pipelines (oil and gas) that cross international or provincial borders.
    • Postal and courier services
    • Radio and television broadcasting
    • Railways that cross provincial or international borders and some short-line railways
    • Road transportation services, including trucks and buses, that cross provincial or international borders
    • Telecommunications (Telephone, internet, telegraph and cable systems)
    • Uranium mining and processing and atomic energy
    • Any business that is vital, essential or integral to the operation of one of the above activities.
    • The federal public service
    • Parliament (such as the Senate, the House of Commons and the Library of Parliament).
    • Private-sector firms and municipalities in Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut

    Most other industries are considered provincially regulated and use the ESA for employment legislation. Examples of common industries in Ontario covered by the ESA include:

    • Retail
    • Manufacturing
    • Healthcare
    • Agriculture
    • Hospitality
    • And more!

    TIP: If your workplace isn’t part of the federally regulated list, then it is most likely provincially regulated. The ESA also may not apply to individuals who are not employees, such as independent contractors, volunteers, students on co-operative education, placements, or work-integrated learning experiences.

Minimum Wage Getting Paid & Overtime Time Off (Sick & Vacation Time) Work Hours Payment for Training Rights to Breaks or Eating Periods Public Holidays Safety in the Workplace Workplace Injuries Termination
  • Accommodations

    Employers have a legal duty to accommodate the needs of people who are negatively impacted by requirements, rules or standards at work due to their membership in a protected group. This includes race, colour, creed/religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, etc.

    For example, allowing flexible working hours and/or breaks to allow an Indigenous employee to attend a spiritual ceremony.

 

Employment Responsiblities

  • Responsibility to Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

    Health and safety legislation requires employees to use PPE and clothing as directed by the employer. Employees should not remove PPE or clothing unless another suitable replacement is available for use. PPE must be in good repair when being used, and there are often requirements instructing workplaces on how to store or clean the equipment.

    PPE includes respirators, protective clothing (including gloves and footwear) and face and eye protection, which can reduce or prevent contact and the absorption of a designated substance.

    TIP: Your workplace must provide you with adequate PPE; however, they may charge you for it or have you purchase it on your own by providing you with information on where to obtain the PPE. If they do not provide you with adequate PPE, you can refuse work.

  • Responsibility to Inform Superiors about Potential Dangers

    Employees must tell their supervisor or employer about any workplace hazard that may be dangerous to them or another worker. This includes reporting any missing or defective protective devices.

  • Responsibility to Work in a Safe Way

    Employees should not use or operate any equipment or work in a way that may endanger any worker. This includes engaging in any prank, contest, feat of strength, unnecessary running or rough and boisterous conduct (e.g., seeing who can pick up the most boxes).

  • Responding & Reporting Workplace Injuries

    In the event of an injury at work, it is the responsibility of employees to tell their employer about any medical treatment they receive as soon as possible and let them know about any additional information they receive about their injury or illness.

    Employers should assist in ensuring employees receive proper treatment from a health professional, reporting and filing necessary documentation, and returning to work when ready.

  • Responsibilities of Supervisors

    Supervisors have additional responsibilities than employees; these are not mentioned here. For more information about supervisor responsibilities, visit Ontario - Duties of Employers and Other Persons .

 

Employment Resources

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