Resource collection

Workers’ rights during COVID-19

Recorded June 3, 2021: 14 months into the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of workers have had to adjust to drastically different ways of working and many now experience more work and income instability than ever. Health risks related to work are greater than any other time.
In this webinar, John No and Joanna Mullen,

Do you know what your rights are? Employment Standards Act

This factsheet has information on minimum wages, hours of work, pay for overtime, holidays, and vacation, deductions from pay, personal emergency leave, and termination.

Employment Standards ES Self-Service Tool

The Ministry of Labour provides this Employment Standards Self Service Tool. It is designed to make it easier for employers and employees in Ontario to understand and comply with the Employment Standards Act (ESA). It also includes calculations to determine whether the amount paid to an employee meets the minimum standards of the ESA.

Industries and Jobs with Exemptions or Special Rules

This guide is designed to explain which parts of an industry or job are not covered by the Employment Standards Act or are covered by special rules that change how some parts of the act apply.

Newcomers Facing Labour Struggles

This comic book illustrates the types of law-related issues newcomers can face when trying to get, and keep, employment in Canada through four real-life scenarios. It is available in several languages, linked to below. To ask for print copies in any of the other languages, contact KEYS Job Centre, the producing organization.

Ontario Ministry of Labour Videos and Photos

This section of the Ministry of Labour’s website has links to Employment Standards and Health and Safety videos and photos, as well as the Ministry’s Ontario at Work channels on YouTube.

Protecting Employees

This resource explains how the Employment Standards Act protects workers in Ontario. It answers questions such as, 

• My employer says I am not covered under the ESA. Is this true?
• What are my rights?
• I was punished for asking for my rights. What can I do? 

and more.

Rights Bites podcasts and lesson plans

This podcast series for newcomers draws attention to some common legal problems that affect newcomer tenants and workers in Ontario, and gives information about legal rights. There is also a companion set of adult education for LINC and ESL instructors to help guide learners through the podcasts.
The podcasts are also available for download from the Mixcloud podcast platform.

What You Should Know About the Employment Standards Act

This one-page poster provides a summary of some rights and responsibilities under the Employment Standards Act. It has brief, basic information on hours of work, rest periods, overtime pay, minimum wage, paydays, vacation time and pay, public holidays, leaves of absence, and termination notice and pay.

Workers’ Action Centre resources

The Workers’ Action Centre has legal information in a number of languages on topics related to workers’ rights.