A leading employment lawyer has offered his insight into the recently introduced bills which could bring change to the ESA.
Ontario employers may soon have to accommodate additional types of leave after the provincial government introduced two new types under the Employment Standards Act. Here, one leading industry lawyer explains the potential amendments.
Jonathon’s Law
Also known as Bill 175, the legislation would offer extended protection to parental employees who have suffered the loss of a child.
“Under Bill 175, an employee who has been employed by his or her employer for at least six consecutive months will be entitled to a leave of absence without pay of up to 52 weeks if a child of the employee dies,” explains Matthew Demeo, of McCarthy Tétrault.
According to Demeo, "child" is defined in the Bill to include children, step-children and foster children under the age of 18.
Bill 177
If passed, Bill 177 - Domestic and Sexual Violence Workplace Leave, Accommodation and Training Act – would see employers shoulder several more responsibilities.
“Employers will be required to provide a leave of absence of a ‘reasonable duration’ to employees who have experienced (or who have children who have experienced) domestic or sexual violence,” explains Demeo.
However, this leave can only be used by employees for specific purposes, including:
“The second requirement under Bill 177 will be for employers to accommodate, up to the point of undue hardship, employees who have (or whose children have) experienced domestic or sexual violence,” he continues.
“This may include changing an employee's place of work and/or their hours of employment to accommodate the employee's circumstances,” he adds.
As a further obligation, Bill 177 will also require employers to ensure that every manager, supervisor and worker receives “information and instruction” about domestic and sexual violence in the workplace.
More like this:
Two thirds of workers admit they’re “out of their depth”
Fixed-term fault prompts $200K payout
Why you should fire that superstar employee
Jonathon’s Law
Also known as Bill 175, the legislation would offer extended protection to parental employees who have suffered the loss of a child.
“Under Bill 175, an employee who has been employed by his or her employer for at least six consecutive months will be entitled to a leave of absence without pay of up to 52 weeks if a child of the employee dies,” explains Matthew Demeo, of McCarthy Tétrault.
According to Demeo, "child" is defined in the Bill to include children, step-children and foster children under the age of 18.
Bill 177
If passed, Bill 177 - Domestic and Sexual Violence Workplace Leave, Accommodation and Training Act – would see employers shoulder several more responsibilities.
“Employers will be required to provide a leave of absence of a ‘reasonable duration’ to employees who have experienced (or who have children who have experienced) domestic or sexual violence,” explains Demeo.
However, this leave can only be used by employees for specific purposes, including:
- Seeking medical attention or counselling related to the violence.
- Obtaining support services or legal assistance.
- Relocating (temporarily or permanently) to reduce the likelihood of future violence.
“The second requirement under Bill 177 will be for employers to accommodate, up to the point of undue hardship, employees who have (or whose children have) experienced domestic or sexual violence,” he continues.
“This may include changing an employee's place of work and/or their hours of employment to accommodate the employee's circumstances,” he adds.
As a further obligation, Bill 177 will also require employers to ensure that every manager, supervisor and worker receives “information and instruction” about domestic and sexual violence in the workplace.
More like this:
Two thirds of workers admit they’re “out of their depth”
Fixed-term fault prompts $200K payout
Why you should fire that superstar employee
