Employment Standards

The Government of Canada has minimum standards for employment that guarantee your rights and responsibilities in the workplace. 

The Employment Standards Act (ESA) is a law that sets minimum standards for fair workplace practices.  There are basic standards that are protected by the ESA such as:

• Hours of work
• Overtime
• Minimum Wage
• Payment for Work
• Vacation Time and Pay
• Public Holidays
• Pregnancy Leave and Parental Leave
• Emergency Leave
• Family Medical Leave
• Termination Notice and Pay

For more information about these standards go to:

• Introduction to Employment Standards
  
• If you have questions about how you are protected under the Employment Standards Act, you can contact the Ministry of Labour.
  
• Contact the Employment Standards Information Centre (Ontario) at: 416-326-7160 or 1-800-531-5551
• Visit a local Ministry of Labour office
  
• Outside the Province of Ontario - If you live outside the province of Ontario, use this link to find your local provincial information on labour and employment standards:

Want more information?

• Employment Standards – Human Resources and Social Development Canada:
• Employee Rights – Human Resources and Social Development Canada
• Know Your Rights – Workrights.ca:
• Employment Equity – Canadian Human Rights Commission