See also: https://news.ontario.ca/en/backgrounder/1001032/working-for-workers-act-2021 And for more details on each initiative: Creating a Better Future for Workers Helping Newcomers Start Their...
Today, the government will introduce the Working for Workers Act, 2021 that would, if passed:
Require employers with 25 or more employees to have a written policy about employees disconnecting from their job at the end of the workday to help employees spend more time with their families.
Ban the use of non-compete agreements that prevent people from exploring other work opportunities in order to make it easier for workers to advance in their careers.
Help remove barriers, such as Canadian experience requirements, for internationally trained individuals to get licenced in a regulated profession and get access to jobs that match their qualifications and skills.
Require recruiters and temporary help agencies to have a licence to operate in the province to help protect vulnerable employees from being exploited.
Require business owners to allow delivery workers to use a company’s washroom if they are delivering or picking up items. This supports the delivery drivers, couriers and truck drivers who have kept our essential supplies and economy going throughout the pandemic.
Allow surpluses in the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board’s Insurance Fund to be distributed over certain levels to businesses, helping them cope with the impacts of COVID-19.
Enable the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board to work with entities, like the Canada Revenue Agency, to streamline remittances for businesses, enabling a way to give them an efficient one-stop-shop for submitting premiums and payroll deductions.
Allow the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to collect information related to the agri-food workforce to ensure the government can enhance the coordination of services such as vaccination and testing, and respond to issues that may arise.
p.s. Credit where credit is due. As a left-leaning Ontarian I have been exceptionally critical of the Province's Conservative government, but this actually seems like a solid piece of workers rights legislation. And IMO the onerous re-licensing requirements is something that has needed addressing for far too long, as far too many eminently qualified immigrants have been unable to continue working in their profession once they arrive here in Canada. So kudos to the Ford government for passing this.
This makes me think about security implications. What if the building where my business is located has the washrooms behind security measures (e.g. key fob access) rather than before? Would I then...
Require business owners to allow delivery workers to use a company’s washroom if they are delivering or picking up items. This supports the delivery drivers, couriers and truck drivers who have kept our essential supplies and economy going throughout the pandemic.
This makes me think about security implications. What if the building where my business is located has the washrooms behind security measures (e.g. key fob access) rather than before? Would I then need to consider security escorts to and from the washrooms? Would I have to heighten security measures (scanners, pat downs, temporary removal/holding of mobile electronics)?
There are exceptions in the Bill for situations where the nature, type, or conditions of the work, or security concerns at a workplace, makes the requirement unreasonable/impractical. See:...
29.1 (1) Subject to subsection (2), the owner of a workplace shall ensure that access to a washroom is provided, on request, to a worker who is present at the workplace to deliver anything to the workplace, or to collect anything from the workplace for delivery elsewhere.
Exceptions
(2) Access to a washroom at a workplace is not required under subsection (1),
(a) if providing access would not be reasonable or practical for reasons relating to the health or safety of any person at the workplace, including the worker who requests to use a washroom;
(b) if providing access would not be reasonable or practical having regard to all the circumstances, including, but not limited to, the nature of the workplace, the type of work at the workplace, the conditions of work at the workplace, the security of any person at the workplace and the location of the washroom within the workplace; or
(c) if the washroom is in, or can only be accessed through, a dwelling.
See also:
https://news.ontario.ca/en/backgrounder/1001032/working-for-workers-act-2021
And for more details on each initiative:
Creating a Better Future for Workers
Helping Newcomers Start Their Careers
Taking Steps to Protect Vulnerable Workers
Improving Washroom Rights for Truck Drivers and Delivery Workers
Providing Financial Relief to Employers
p.s. Credit where credit is due. As a left-leaning Ontarian I have been exceptionally critical of the Province's Conservative government, but this actually seems like a solid piece of workers rights legislation. And IMO the onerous re-licensing requirements is something that has needed addressing for far too long, as far too many eminently qualified immigrants have been unable to continue working in their profession once they arrive here in Canada. So kudos to the Ford government for passing this.
This makes me think about security implications. What if the building where my business is located has the washrooms behind security measures (e.g. key fob access) rather than before? Would I then need to consider security escorts to and from the washrooms? Would I have to heighten security measures (scanners, pat downs, temporary removal/holding of mobile electronics)?
There are exceptions in the Bill for situations where the nature, type, or conditions of the work, or security concerns at a workplace, makes the requirement unreasonable/impractical. See: https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-42/session-2/bill-27