Updates to Ontario's Employment Legislation February 21 2025
Bill 229, known as the Working for Workers Six Act, 2024, received royal assent on December 19, 2024, marking the latest in a series of legislative efforts aimed at improving conditions for workers in Ontario. Among the key changes introduced by Bill 229 are amendments to the Employment Standards Act (ESA), including new unpaid parental leave for employees who become parents through adoption or surrogacy, termed "placement of a child" leave. These changes will take effect on a date that will be announced by the Lieutenant Governor. Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for long-term illness leave, allowing employees with serious medical conditions to take up to 27 weeks of unpaid leave, with the possibility of extension if the condition persists. These provisions will be enacted on June 19, 2025.
Further changes effective July 1, 2025, include requirements for employers with 25 or more employees to provide specific employment information before an employee's first day of work. This includes details such as the employer's legal name, contact information, work location, starting wage, pay period, and anticipated work hours. Employers must also maintain sanitary washroom facilities and keep cleaning records. Additionally, the Digital Platform Workers’ Rights Act, 2022, will come into effect, establishing rights for digital platform workers, such as the right to information about pay and evaluation, minimum wage entitlements, regular paydays, and a dispute resolution process within Ontario.
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Source: Government of Ontario