On November 27, 2017, the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act became law, resulting in a number of changes to the Employment Standards Act (ESA). This Guide will be updated as the new rules come into force. Read a complete summary of the changes to the ESA.

To help ensure that employers understand their obligations and employees know their rights, the Minister of Labour has prepared and published a poster entitled Employment Standards in Ontario (also known as the employment standards poster). All employers covered by the Employment Standards Act (ESA) in the province (excluding the Crown) must display this poster in the employer’s workplace. Employers must also provide all of their employees who are covered under the ESA with a copy of the poster.

The poster contains a brief summary highlighting the main standards of the ESA, including:

  • hours of work
  • rest periods
  • overtime pay
  • minimum wage
  • vacation time and pay
  • public holidays
  • leaves of absence from work
  • termination notice and pay
  • reprisals

Posting requirements

The employer must display the poster in the workplace where it is likely to be seen by employees. If the majority language in the workplace is something other than English and the ministry has published a version in that language, the employer must post a translated version next to the English version. All multilingual material is available on the Ministry of Labour’s website.

Providing copies

Employers are required to provide any employees who are covered under the ESA with a copy of the most recent version of the employment standards poster within 30 days of the date the individual becomes an employee.

If an employee requests a copy of the poster in a language other than English and the ministry has published a version in that language, the employer must provide the translated version in addition to the English copy. All multilingual material is available on the Ministry of Labour’s website.

An employer may provide the poster as a printed copy or as an attachment in an email to the employee. In addition, an employer may provide the poster via a link to the document on an internet database, but only if the employer ensures the employee has reasonable access to that database (i.e. must ensure the employee has access to a computer and is able to access a working link to the document) and ensures the employee has access to a printer and that the employee knows how to use the computer and the printer.

Copies of the poster can be obtained: