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What Employers Can and Can’t Deduct from Employee Wages in Ontario

Accurate payroll management is essential for employers in Ontario. A common question is: What can we legally deduct from an employee’s wages? The short answer—very little, unless the employee has agreed, or the law requires it.

Ontario’s Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) sets strict rules on wage deductions. However, some recent Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) decisions have conflicting interpretations regarding whether employers can deduct overpaid vacation pay. Because OLRB decisions are not binding on courts, the law on this issue remains unsettled.Continue Reading I Overpaid My Employee: What Now?

With Halloween officially behind us, it’s time to pitch the pumpkins, finish up that leftover candy, and pack up the spiderweb decor for another year.

But beyond leftover treats and lingering decor are there any ghosts and goblins lurking that might keep things a little too spooky during the upcoming holiday season? By proactively addressing some key issues in the workplace employers are in a much better position to keep spooky season where it belongs and focus instead on the bright times of the upcoming holiday season. Continue Reading Keeping Spooky Season Where it Belongs: Essential Tips for a Smooth Holiday Season

Running a business in Ontario? You’ve got enough on your plate. Let’s make sure you’re up to speed on mandatory breaks under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”). 

Rest and Meal Breaks 

The ESA is clear: If your employees work more than five consecutive hours, they are entitled to a 30-minute break. You can’t skip it unless you want to risk non-compliance. The break is unpaid unless you require the employee to do any form of work during that time. For example, if an employee remains “on call” or at their desk during their break, they must be compensated for it.Continue Reading Mandatory Breaks in Ontario: What You Need to Know