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Employment Standards

An outline of workers' rights, minimum wage, standard working hours, and workplace regulations in Ottawa.

Sections

1. Minimum Wage

As of October 1, 2023, the minimum wage in Ontario is:

  • General Minimum Wage: $16.55 per hour.
  • Student Minimum Wage (for students under 18, working 28 hours or less per week during school or during school breaks): $15.60 per hour.
  • Liquor Servers Minimum Wage: $16.55 per hour (as of January 1, 2022, liquor servers now receive the general minimum wage).
  • Homeworkers Minimum Wage (employees doing paid work in their own homes): $18.20 per hour.

Employers are required to pay at least the minimum wage, and tips or gratuities cannot be counted toward this amount.


2. Hours of Work

  • Standard Work Hours: The standard workday is 8 hours, and the standard workweek is 44 hours.
  • Daily Rest Period: Employees must receive at least 11 consecutive hours off work each day.
  • Weekly Rest Period: Employees must receive at least 24 consecutive hours off work in a workweek.
  • Meal Breaks: Employees are entitled to a 30-minute unpaid meal break after 5 consecutive hours of work. Additional breaks are not required by law but may be provided by the employer.

3. Overtime Rules

  • Overtime Pay: Employees are entitled to overtime pay after working more than 44 hours in a week. The overtime rate is 1.5 times the employee’s regular hourly rate (commonly referred to as "time and a half").
  • Exemptions: Certain professions, such as managers, IT professionals, and some construction workers, may be exempt from overtime rules. Check the ESA for specific exemptions.

4. Vacation Entitlements

  • Vacation Time: Employees are entitled to:
    • 2 weeks of vacation per year if they have worked for the employer for less than 5 years.
    • 3 weeks of vacation per year if they have worked for the employer for 5 years or more.
  • Vacation Pay: Employees are entitled to:
    • 4% of gross wages as vacation pay if they are entitled to 2 weeks of vacation.
    • 6% of gross wages as vacation pay if they are entitled to 3 weeks of vacation.
  • Vacation pay must be paid before the vacation begins or on the regular payday, depending on the employer's policy.

5. Statutory Holidays

Ontario recognizes the following public (statutory) holidays:

  1. New Year’s Day (January 1)
  2. Family Day (3rd Monday in February)
  3. Good Friday (Friday before Easter Sunday)
  4. Victoria Day (Monday before May 25)
  5. Canada Day (July 1)
  6. Labour Day (1st Monday in September)
  7. Thanksgiving Day (2nd Monday in October)
  8. Christmas Day (December 25)
  9. Boxing Day (December 26)
  • Holiday Pay: Employees are entitled to public holiday pay, which is calculated as the total regular wages earned in the 4 weeks before the holiday, divided by 20.
  • If an employee works on a public holiday, they are entitled to either:
    • 1.5 times their regular rate of pay for hours worked, plus a substitute day off with public holiday pay, or
    • Public holiday pay plus their regular rate for hours worked.

6. Termination Procedures

  • Notice of Termination: Employers must provide written notice of termination or pay in lieu of notice if an employee has been continuously employed for at least 3 months. The notice period depends on the length of employment:
    • Less than 1 year: 1 week of notice.
    • 1 to 3 years: 2 weeks of notice.
    • 3 to 4 years: 3 weeks of notice.
    • 4 to 5 years: 4 weeks of notice.
    • 5+ years: 1 additional week of notice for each additional year of service, up to a maximum of 8 weeks.
  • Severance Pay: Employees may also be entitled to severance pay if they have worked for the employer for 5 or more years and the employer has a payroll of $2.5 million or more, or if 50 or more employees are terminated within a 6-month period.

7. Local Resources and Offices

If you need more information or assistance regarding employment standards in Ottawa, you can access the following resources:

Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development

  • Website: Ontario Employment Standards
  • Contact Information:
    • Toll-Free: 1-800-531-5551
    • TTY (for hearing impaired): 1-866-567-8893
  • Services: The Ministry provides information on employment standards, investigates complaints, and enforces the ESA.

Ottawa Employment Ontario Centres

  • Employment Ontario offers free services to help job seekers and employers. They can provide guidance on employment standards, job search assistance, and training programs.
  • Website: Employment Ontario
  • Local Offices: Search for locations in Ottawa on their website.

Community Legal Clinics

  • If you believe your rights under the ESA have been violated, you can seek free legal advice from community legal clinics in Ottawa.
  • Ottawa Community Legal Services:

Workers’ Action Centre

  • A non-profit organization that helps workers understand their rights and resolve workplace issues.
  • Website: Workers’ Action Centre
  • Phone: 1-855-531-0778

8. Cultural Considerations

  • Workplace Culture: Canadian workplaces, including those in Ottawa, value punctuality, professionalism, and respect for diversity. It’s common to address colleagues formally (e.g., Mr., Ms., or by their first name, depending on the workplace culture).
  • Workplace Safety: Employers are required to provide a safe working environment under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). Employees have the right to refuse unsafe work.
  • Unionization: Many workplaces in Ottawa are unionized, particularly in the public sector. If you work in a unionized environment, your employment terms may be governed by a collective agreement.

9. Filing a Complaint

If you believe your employer has violated your rights under the ESA, you can file a complaint with the Ontario Ministry of Labour. Complaints can be submitted online or by mail. The Ministry will investigate and take action if necessary.


By understanding these employment standards, you can ensure your rights are protected while working in Ottawa. If you have further questions or need clarification, feel free to ask!