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
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
Not all perks are created equal. If you’re reviewing your benefits package for 2026, here’s what’s actually moving the needle on retention, and what’s legally compliant, simple to administer, and worth the investment.
Ping pong tables, kombucha on tap, and birthday lunches aren’t cutting it anymore, especially for employees who
Since the amendment of the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”) in 2022, Ontario employers with 25 or more employees as of Jan 1 are legally required to implement a written “disconnecting from work” policy. On paper, it sounds like a big shift. In reality, these policies do little for an already flexible or metrics-driven workforce that has moved beyond the traditional Mon-Fri or 9-5 dynamic.
If your business already operates with a flexible, remote or asynchronous model, you might be wondering: Do we still need a formal disconnect policy?
Continue Reading Your Workplace May Be Flexible, But Your Disconnecting Policy Obligations Are Not
When it comes to taking time off work in Ontario, many employees (and employers) are confused about the difference between vacation time and vacation pay. Both are mandated by the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA), but they are distinct entitlements with different purposes and rules.
Continue Reading Vacation Math: Why Time ≠ Pay Under Ontario’s ESAUnlimited Vacation sounds great in theory – employees take time when they need it, the administrative burden of ‘counting days’ is alleviated, the ‘use it or lose it’ drama disappears, and employers are able to avoid the “helicopter parenting” style of monitoring an employee’s vacation entitlements.
The Unlimited Vacation perk has become increasingly popular with the rise of burnout recognition, a greater understanding of the value of ‘mental health days’, and a less rigid take on the typical 9 to 5. It’s trendy too: In 2024, 26% of tech companies offered Unlimited Vacation (versus 15% total market)1
Before you start deleting any vacation request forms from your HR drive, consider this: in Ontario (and across Canada), Unlimited Vacation policies may create more problems than they solve, especially if they’re not drafted carefully or maintained properly.
As Ontario employers gear up for summer and bring fresh talent into the workplace, many consider hiring interns to support short-term projects or provide students with real-world experience.
But beware: not every “intern” is exempt from Ontario’s Employment Standards Act (ESA). Misclassifying a worker as an unpaid intern when they are legally an employee can expose your organization to significant liability.
Here’s what you need to know to avoid misclassification and stay on the right side of employment law.
Determining appropriate common law notice periods for short-service employees remains one of the most debated topics in Ontario employment law. This is especially so when those employees are senior-ranking employees or executives. While long-service employees often expect generous notice periods, recent case law continues a long-evolving trend of courts willing to award significant notice to short-service employees.
Continue Reading Common Law Notice Periods for Short-Service “Executives”: Trends from 2023-2025The recently enacted Working for Workers Six Act, 2024 (Bill 229) introduces numerous legislative updates that Ontario employers need to understand and incorporate into their workplace practices.
Bill 229 was passed into law in December 2024, meaning several provisions are already in effect, while others are set to roll out in 2025. Here, we break down the key components of Bill 229 and their practical implications for Ontario employers.
Continue Reading Bill 229, Working for Workers Six Act: What Ontario Employers Need to KnowWe’ve all heard of the magical work-life balance in Sweden, where companies have been experimenting with shorter workweeks for years. One attempt in Gothenburg saw municipal workers shift to a six-hour workday without losing pay. The results? Increased productivity, happier employees, and fewer sick days.
While not every business has embraced the change permanently, the experiment fueled the global conversation about reducing work hours. The four-day workweek has become one of the hottest workplace trends as organizations around the globe explore new ways to boost productivity, employee well-being, and retention.
Continue Reading Working Hard or Hardly Working? Making the Four-Day Workweek Work for You