The new rules in Ontario apply to all employees, including managers and executives. Company policies must clearly outline expectations, if any, about communicating outside of working hours. All Ontario employers with 25 or more employees on Jan. 1, 2022 must have a written policy as of June 2.
Is contacting employees after work illegal in Ontario?
Ontario just passed a law making it illegal for bosses to bug their employees after-hours. The provincial government passed the Working for Workers Act, 2021, which was first proposed in October.
Can an employer message you after hours?
Legally, unless you operate in one of the few countries that have already made it illegal, you can text your employees during, before, and after business hours. But before you do, a note of caution: Do it only in an emergency. For managers, try putting yourself in your employee’s shoes for a moment.
What is the 3 hour rule in Ontario?
What is the 3-hour rule in Ontario? Under the 3-hour rule, if an employee is required by the employer to come into work for less than three hours, the employer must pay the employee for 3 hours at minimum.
How do you tell your boss not to contact you after hours?
Just say so. If your boss calls you on weekends or after 5, just say “I don’t take business calls after working hours,” and then hang up.
What are the 3 basic rights every employee has in Ontario?
What are the three main rights of workers?
- The right to know about health and safety matters.
- The right to participate in decisions that could affect their health and safety.
- The right to refuse work that could affect their health and safety and that of others.
Can my boss contact me when I am off?
It’s important that both the employer and employee stay in regular contact during absence, especially if it’s long term. They should agree: how often the contact should be. if the contact is to be by email, phone or face-to-face meetings.
Do I have to answer work emails after hours?
If you receive a message after hours, you shouldn’t be expected to reply to it until you’re back on the clock. This includes emails you receive if you’re on a leave, which you wouldn’t have to answer until you return to work. Employees deserve to be paid for all the time they work.
Should I reply after working hours?
Research has shown that expecting employees to answer emails after hours can be detrimental. Instead of improving efficiency, after-hours emails hurt job performance. There is cause for concern with the always-on culture.
Can managers text you outside of work?
The key point to consider here is if you require your employee to take immediate action. When you text your employees outside of work, are you requiring them to take action on the spot? If yes, then this is considered work. If not, then it’s not considered work.
Do you have to answer your phone on your day off?
So to summarize, yes, your boss can fire you for not answering your phone on your day off. Some employers are respectful of employees’ time off. Others may abuse at-will employment laws and harass you consistently on your days off. In fact, they may consider it part of your job.
Can I work 80 hours a week in Ontario?
your standard hours of work for a period of 2 or more weeks cannot exceed an average of 40 hours in a week. the maximum hours for the same period cannot exceed an average of 48 hours in a week. your employer must pay overtime when your daily or weekly hours exceed those established under the modified work schedule.
What is the longest shift you can work in Ontario?
Section 17 — Limit on hours of work
- Daily maximum: eight hours per day or, if there is an established work day that is longer than eight hours, the number of hours in that work day.
- Weekly maximum: 48 hours per work week.
Is it OK to text your boss in the middle of the night?
Texting allows us to stay connected 24/7, but this doesn’t mean that you’re obligated to send messages around the clock. If something is an emergency or time-sensitive, then a late night or weekend text may be necessary. Otherwise, pay attention to the time and day that you’re texting with your professional contacts.
What is the right to disconnect law in Ontario?
Ontario’s new right-to-disconnect legislation — which took effect on June 2, 2022 — requires employers with 25 or more employees to have a written policy about workers disconnecting from their job at the end of the workday.
What to do when coworker calls after hours?
If the coworker is contacting you after hours, tell them not to call again. Block their number. If they take further action to try and contact you, check with your local police on what steps would be appropriate to your unique situation. Don’t answer your phone or reply to text..
What act are most employees protected by in Ontario?
The Employment Standards Act, 2000
The Employment Standards Act, 2000, known as the ESA, is a law that sets minimum standards for workplaces in Ontario. If you work in Ontario, you are probably protected by the ESA.
Can I get fired for calling in sick Ontario?
Employees in Ontario are entitled to a minimum of three (3) personal illness days per calendar year under the Employment Standards Act. Employers must accommodate their employees’ needs to take sick leave and cannot fire an employee for requesting or using the days.
Are 15-minute breaks required by law in Ontario?
You and your employer can reach a mutual agreement to divide this time into two 15-minute breaks as long as you still receive 30-minutes total of time-off. While they may choose to, employers are not obligated to grant their workers more than 30-minutes of break time during a five hour shift.
Can work contact you if you are off sick?
There are no set rules about how often your employer should contact you while you are off sick, it all comes down to what is reasonable.
Can you say no to contact employer?
It’s perfectly acceptable to answer no to contacting your current employer. Most employers understand this and usually won’t have any effect on their decision. Make sure you have a backup of other professional references or employers they can contact.