Employment Disputes in Toronto and Canada
The answer to this question is yes, there are many government resources for employment disputes in Toronto and across Canada. You can find information on a variety of topics, including what to do if your employer does not pay you, how to file an unfair labour practice complaint, and where to get help with workplace safety.
In some cases, a worker can be fired without notice or pay for serious problems – such as theft from the company or assaulting another employee. However, your employer must have “just cause” to fire you for this reason. If you think your employer has not had just cause, you can contact the employment lawyer Toronto Standards Branch to complain.
If you are a non-unionized employee (i.e., not part of a union), there are different rules that govern your employment. The Ontario Ministry of Labour has fact sheets and an online guide to the Employment Standards Act (ESA). This set of laws covers issues such as annual vacation, work hours, minimum wage and unjust dismissals.
Government Resources For Employment Disputes in Toronto and Canada
There are also provincial programs to help protect workers from unsafe and unhealthy working conditions. The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) provides payments to injured workers. You can use their online claim form or call to make a claim by telephone.
Other government resources for employment disputes include the Canadian Human Rights Commission and the Ontario Labour Relations Board. These organizations can assist with a variety of issues, such as discrimination based on race, sex, religion, citizenship, ethnic origin, gender identity, sexual orientation and age.
If your job has been disrupted by a labour dispute, you can apply for financial assistance from the Ontario Works program. The program offers “top-up” income based on your earnings prior to the labour dispute. This is meant to supplement your wages, and child care costs are not included in the calculation of your income. You must verify your income with your employer and provide a copy of the record of employment or an affidavit if other verification is not possible.
You may also want to talk to someone from your union about your options. Unions can provide a variety of benefits to members, such as representation at grievance hearings and support in negotiating with employers. They can also offer legal advice.
The federal government has programs that aim to promote equal opportunity in the workplace. The Legislated Employment Equity Program (LEEP) requires federally regulated businesses and agencies to report on the number of women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and visible minorities in their workforces. The Federal Contractors Program (FCP) is a similar program that applies to companies with federal contracts of $1 million or more. The WEIMS application helps employers meet their reporting requirements under LEEP and FCP.
