On September 8, 2016, some changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Act came into effect regarding workplace harassment and violence. Ontario employers who have more than five (5) workers are now required to have a written workplace harassment and violence policy and to post the policy in a conspicuous place in the workplace.

There are various legislative requirements for employers in Ontario that deal with:

  1. What workplace policies are required?
  2. What must be posted in the workplace?
  3. What training is mandatory?

The following is a summary of the workplace requirements under different legislation for Ontario employers. Please note that this is a generalization and there are various exceptions, etc. that may apply.

  ESA OHRC OHSA WSIA PIPEDA
Legislation Employment Standards Act Ontario Human Right Code Occupational Health and Safety Act Workplace Safety and Insurance Act Personal Information and Electronic Documents Act
Who has to comply? All employers employing employees whose work is performed  in Ontario Ontario employers and employees Ontario employers Determine whether you must register with Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) Ontario businesses in the course of commercial activities
Workplace Policy Not mandatory Strongly recommended. Tribunal has power to order that employer create written policy (how to) Workplaces having 5 or more workers that are regularly employed, must have a written OHS policy (how to) and a Workplace Harassment and Workplace Violence Policy (how to) and review both at least once per year

See WSIB site for obligations Not mandatory but recommended
Posting Requirements Current version of "Employment Standards in Ontario" poster must be displayed in a conspicuous location. New employees must be provided a copy of the poster within 30 days of commencement of employment. None Must display:

1. OHSA Poster

2. Workplace harassment and Workplace Violence Policy

3.  copy of the Act

You are required by law to hang the WSIB "In Case of Injury at Work – 1234" poster, near your first aid station None.
Training Requirements Not mandatory Strongly recommended. Tribunal has power to order that employer provide training (how to) Every Ontario worker and supervisor is required to complete training. Online training is available through the Ministry of Labour First aid training is required Not mandatory.

Complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

Ontario has legislated a phased in approach for the Ontarians with Disabilities Act with a view to the Act being fully implemented by 2025. The Ontario Government has developed a toolkit to assist businesses. The general obligations for Ontario businesses are as follows:

  Summary 1-19 Employees 20-49 Employees 50+ Employees
Jan 12, 2012    Provide
  • Provide accessible customer service (how to)

    • train your staff/volunteers to serve customers of all abilities
    • welcome service animals and support persons
    • create accessible ways for people to provide feedback
    • put an accessibility policy in place so employees/volunteers/customers can know what to expect
  • Provide accessible emergency and public safety information (how to)
  • Provide accessible emergency information to staff (how to)
Jan 1, 2014
  • Create Policy
  • Create Multi-Year Plan
  • Accessible Kiosks
  • Make Website Accessible
   
  • Create accessibility policies and a multi-year plan (how to)

    • tell you employees/customers about your policies
    • post the multi-year plan on your website in an accessible format
  • Consider accessibility when purchasing or designing self-service kiosks (how to)
  • Make websites accessible (how to)
Dec 31, 2014    File  
  • File an Accessibility Compliance Report (how to)
Jan 1, 2015
  • Create Policy
  • Accessible Kiosks
  • Create accessibility policies (how to)

    • tell you employees/customers about your policies
  • Consider accessibility when purchasing or designing self-service kiosks (how to)

 

 

  • Train your staff on Ontario's accessibility laws (how to)
  • Make it easy for people with disabilities to provide feedback (how to)
  • Train staff
  • Feedback
Jan 1, 2016
  • Train staff
  • Feedback
  • Train your staff on Ontario's accessibility laws (how to)
  • Make it easy for people with disabilities to provide feedback (how to)
  • Make your public information accessible when asked (how to)
  • Make your employment practices accessible (how to)
    • how you hire, retain and provide career development opportunities
    • document your process for developing individual accommodation plan and return-to-work plans
  • public information
  • employment practices
Jan 1, 2017
  • public information
  • employment practices
  • Make your public information accessible when asked (how to)
  • Make your employment practices accessible (how to)
    • how you hire, retain and provide career development opportunities
    • document your process for developing individual accommodation plan and return-to-work plans
Make new or redeveloped public spaces accessible (how to)
  • public spaces
Dec 31, 2017    File   File an Accessibility Compliance Report (how to)
Jan 1, 2018    Public spaces Make new or redeveloped public spaces accessible (how to)  
Dec 31, 2020    File   File an Accessibility Compliance Report (how to)
Jan 1, 2021    Websites and web content     Make all websites and web content accessible (how to)
Dec 31, 2023    File   File an Accessibility Compliance Report (how to)

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.