Employment Disputes

Understanding Your Rights Under Ontario Employment Law When starting a new job, many people expect to sign a formal written contract. But in Ontario, that doesn’t always happen. Sometimes you may only receive an offer letter, or even just a verbal agreement to start work. This raises an important question: If you don’t have a written employment contract, are you still protected? The short answer is yes — but it’s important to understand how. 1. No Written Contract Doesn’t Mea

If you work in a job where customers leave tips — like a restaurant server, hair stylist, delivery driver, or nail technician — you might be wondering: Do I get to keep my tips? In most cases, yes. Ontario’s Employment Standards Act (ESA) says that tips and gratuities belong to the worker who receives them. But there are a few exceptions and important rules to know. This article will help you understand your rights and what to do if your employer isn’t playing fair. ✅ The Gen

If you’ve recently lost your job in Ontario, you may be wondering whether you’re entitled to severance pay. While many people assume severance is automatic, it’s important to understand that severance pay is not the same as termination pay. Under Ontario’s Employment Standards Act (ESA), severance pay is a separate and additional payment that only applies to certain employees in specific situations. Here’s what you need to know about whether you qualify, how it’s calculated,

If you’ve been offered a job or trial shift in Ontario, you might be wondering whether the employer is legally required to pay you. Some businesses ask new hires to complete unpaid training or trial shifts — but in most cases, this is against the law. Here’s what you need to know about your right to be paid under Ontario’s Employment Standards Act (ESA). ✅ You Usually Must Be Paid for Training or Trial Work In Ontario, most employees are entitled to be paid at least minimum w

If you're applying for a job in Ontario, you might wonder whether employers can ask about your criminal past. The answer is: it depends — on the type of information they want, the nature of the job, and how your record is classified. This article breaks down when these questions are legal, what rights you have, and how to respond. What Employers Are Legally Allowed to Ask Employers in Ontario are generally permitted to ask if you’ve been convicted of a criminal offence for wh

When you’re offered a new job in Ontario, your employer may hire you “on probation.” Probation is like a trial period, allowing the employer to see if you’re the right fit for the job before confirming your employment. Here’s what you need to know about probationary periods, your rights while on probation, and what happens when probation ends. ✅ What Is a Probation Period? Probation is a specific time frame, usually 3 to 6 months, but it can be longer if agreed upon in your e

Being fired from your job can be stressful and confusing. Many workers want to know: does my employer have to tell me why they let me go? In Ontario, the short answer is no—your employer does not have to give you a reason for firing you. However, they must still follow the rules in the Employment Standards Act (ESA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. Here’s what you need to know about your rights if you’ve been terminated. ✅ Do Employers Have to Give a Reason for Firing You?

When applying for a job in Ontario, it’s important to know what questions employers are legally allowed to ask—and which ones go against your human rights. While employers have the right to ask about your qualifications and ability to perform the job, they cannot ask questions that discriminate against you. This article explains what employers can and cannot ask during the hiring process and what you can do if you face discrimination. ✅ What Employers Are Allowed to Ask Emplo