Resource library

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.

Know Your Rights at Work

This is a basic overview of your rights at work under the Employment Standards Act (ESA). It looks at topics such as signing a contract, minimum wage, hours of work, overtime, and more. It also looks at who is covered under the ESA, and how to protect yourself. This publication reflects the changes that came into effect in 2019.

Lie Detector Tests

This is information from the Ontario Ministry of Labour that discusses an employee’s right to refuse a lie detector test. It covers prohibition of testing, an employee’s right to refuse, disclosure, and use of lie dectectors by the police.

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.

Workershelp.ca

This website has a toll-free phone number and a “get help” form for free assistance finding information on your employment rights. You can also browse the website to see how workers can ensure just treatment at work.

Your Rights at Work: An Action Guide for Fair Employment

This booklet explains how workers can protect and assert their rights and what to do if their rights are violated. Topics covered include starting a new job, wages, hours of work, leaves and time off, injuries at work, termination, discrimination and harassment, and more.

Federally Regulated Businesses and Industries

About six percent of Canadian workers are employed by businesses and industries regulated by the Canada Labour Code. This web site has a list of those businesses and industries, a link to the Code, and links to sites where there is information about provincially-regulated businesses and industries.

The difference between an employee and independent contractor

This information on the Province of Ontario website explains the difference between an employee and an independent contractor in Ontario and what you’re entitled to under the Employment Standards Act.

Employment Standards Labour Topics and Publications

This website has information about finding the Ministry of Labour’s wide selection of Employment Standards publications by topic or by browsing their publication list. It also tells how to find their information in other languages and in accessible formats.

A Primer on Probationary Periods

Recorded on November 30, 2016 (41 minutes): Are you new in your job? Do you work with or represent the newly employed? Have you or someone you know, ever been terminated during a probationary period? This webinar covers the basic, but often poorly understood, rules around probationary periods. What constitutes a probationary period? Can the employer extend a probationary period?