Technology has made it easier than ever to monitor how work gets done. With the rise of hybrid and remote work, digital productivity tools, and AI‑enabled systems, workplace monitoring has become a key compliance issue for Ontario employers.
Ontario does not have a single, comprehensive statute governing employee privacy in the workplace. However, under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”), employers with 25 or
A decision of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (“Tribunal”) explores the boundaries of the duty to accommodate in the workplace, raising important questions about how far employers must go to meet accommodation requests, and whether emotional discomfort during the process can establish a
Ontario’s introduction of long-term illness leave (“LTI Leave”) significantly expands statutory leave entitlements. While the statutory framework appears straightforward, the real legal risk lies in how it intersects with human rights accommodation obligations.
The Statutory Framework
Effective June 19, 2025, the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”) provides eligible employees with up to 27 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave
When an employee asks for time off for medical reasons, employers often aren’t sure how much medical detail they’re allowed to ask for, or what their obligations are to accommodate the employee.
A recent decision from the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) helps clarify this. It shows that vague medical notes aren’t enough on their own, and that employees need
More Canadians over the age of 65 are continuing to work, whether full time, part time, or through multiple jobs. For employers, this is no longer a temporary trend. It is a workforce shift that is reshaping hiring, workplace policies, accommodations, benefits, and long-term planning.
Statistics Canada reports that 2025 marked the fifth consecutive year
Return-to-office (RTO) mandates continue to be contentious workplace issues in Canada. While many employers are pushing for in-person work, some employees view remote work as a core part of their job. This tension is increasingly showing up in legal claims, most notably, constructive dismissal claims.
What Is Constructive Dismissal?
Constructive dismissal occurs when an employer makes a unilateral and fundamental
Workplace safety is not a “set it and forget it” exercise.
Across Canada, governments are tightening expectations around workplace health and safety. Employers who fail to properly protect workers from occupational hazards can face serious consequences.
Corporations, directors, officers, and even individuals may face significant fines and, in some cases, jail time for breaching Ontario’s
Workforce planning has always been a balancing act. Employers move between hiring, restructuring, and supporting employees through personal and medical challenges. The latest ESA updates covering layoffs, illness leave, and job seeking time during mass terminations give employees stronger stability while asking employers to be more structured during mass terminations
Ontario’s new extended temporary layoff rules give employers more time
Hiring is one of the most time-consuming parts of running a business. It is also one of the riskiest.
So it is no surprise that employers are turning to AI to speed things up. Resume screening tools. Automated shortlists. Chatbots that pre-screen candidates. Applicant tracking systems that rank people before a human ever looks at an
A new year brings fresh plans, renewed energy, and big goals for growing your business. But January is also when many Ontario employment law changes quietly take effect. If your HR documents have not been reviewed recently, you could be starting 2026 with more risk than you realize.
For small and mid-sized employers, outdated contracts