The Ontario Labour Relations Act (OLRA) governs the relationship between unions and employers in most Ontario workplaces. Among other things, it covers the process for bringing a union into a workplace (organizing) and negotiating a first contract (collective bargaining).
The OHSA does not apply to federally-regulated workplaces, i.e., telecommunication companies, banks and inter-provincial transportation companies, or to work performed in a private residence by the owner or occupant.
Section 3(1)(a) indicates that the Employment Standards Act, 2000 applies to all employees whose work is to be performed in Ontario and their employers. However, the fact that some work is performed in Ontario may be insufficient to bring the employee in under the jurisdiction of the ESA 2000.
The Employment Standards Act (ESA) is a law in Ontario that protects workers' rights. This law tells employers how to treat workers fairly. ESA protects most workers in Ontario. It does not apply to workers in federally-regulated industries, such as banks and transportation.
Ontario's Stance on Breaks In Ontario—the Canadian province with the highest number of full-time workers—the Employment Standards Act (ESA) mandates that most employees must be granted a 30-minute break, or eating period, for every five consecutive hours of work.
Workers, however, have the power to protect their health and safety. Ontario law spells out the three rights that give workers this power: the right to know, the right to participate, and the right to refuse. Workers have the right to know about workplace health and safety hazards.
Section 17(1) sets out the daily and weekly maximum hours that an employer may require or allow an employee to work: Daily maximum: eight hours per day or, if there is an established work day that is longer than eight hours, the number of hours in that work day. Weekly maximum: 48 hours per work week.
The Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) protects employees and sets minimum standards for most workplaces in Ontario. Employers are prohibited from penalizing employees in any way for exercising their ESA rights. What you need to know.
Breaks Based on Shift Length Shift LengthBreak Entitlement Less than 5 hours No scheduled break 5 hours 1 x 30-minute break 8 hours 1 x 30-minute break 12 hours 2 x 30-minute breaks
Workers, however, have the power to protect their health and safety. Ontario law spells out the three rights that give workers this power: the right to know, the right to participate, and the right to refuse. Workers have the right to know about workplace health and safety hazards.