As Ontario ramps up its vaccination efforts and cautiously reopens its economy, more businesses will open shop soon. A clear understanding of HR responsibilities will help employers stay compliant with new laws as well as effectively manage their workforce.
Here are the HR obligations Ontario employers need to be following in 2021:
Workplace postings required by law:
- Poster: “Health & Safety at Work: Prevention Starts Here”: This poster should cover the rights and responsibilities of workers, supervisors, and employers under the Occupational Health & Safety Act. Employers must have the poster in English and the main language spoken in the workplace.
- Poster: “What You Need to Know” about the Employment Standards Act: Employers are no longer required to put up this poster in the workplace; however, it should be distributed to all employees.
- Poster: “In Case of Injury” if your workplace is covered by the WSIB: This poster is required by the Workers Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) and details the steps workers and employers must take if an injury occurs in the workplace.
- A copy of the Occupational Health and Safety Act needs to be on the company website.
- Your COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan: All Ontario businesses that are operating must have a written safety plan under the law. The plan must be made available to anyone who asks to see it and posted in a place where it will be seen easily.
Workplace policies required by law:
- An Accessibility Policy
- A Workplace Health & Safety Policy
- A Workplace Violence and Harassment Policy,
- A Pay Equity Plan Policy (only applies to businesses with 10 or more employees)
- A COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan
Health and Safety Committee Representative is a must:
For organizations with more than 5 but less than 20 employees, a Health and Safety Representative is a must.
For organizations with 20 or more employees, Ontario legislation requires a Joint Health and Safety Committee be formed in the workplace and trained.
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (“AODA”) Deadlines:
By June 30, 2021: Organizations with 20 or more employees in Ontario must file an Accessibility Compliance Report. Employers can access the form for the Report and additional information on the Government of Ontario website. Smaller organizations, who have between 20 and 50 employees, are only required to finish an accessibility report to the accessibility standards for customer service.
By June 30, 2021: Organizations with 50 or more employees in Ontario must make website and web content accessible to the WCAG 2.0 standard.
Ontario employers have a legal obligation to perform:
- Violence prevention and training
- Harassment prevention and training
- AODA training
- Health and Safety prevention and training
Although not legally mandatory, employers can benefit from other policies, such as privacy, intoxicants (including cannabis, as well as alcohol), human rights, and accommodation.
Need help staying compliant with your provincial legislation?
Our HR experts can help. Speak with one of our knowledgeable advisors today to find out your employer obligations and to ensure your business is operating in compliance with Ontario’s Employment Standards legislation. Call us today: 1 (833) 247-3652.
