1. UNDERSTANDING EMPLOYMENT LAW IN CANADA
GROUP MEMBERS:
ADEKUNLE DAVIES ADEGUNLOYE
ADENIKE KAFAYAT LATEEF
AJAY SAHOTA
FIDELIA IKEKHUA
KOLAWOLE SODIYA

2. Presentation Structure
Introduction
Different legislations
Federal Labour Standards
Discrimination and Employment Equity
Pay Equity
Health & Safety
Worker’s Environmental Rights
Firings & Layoffs
Filing a Complaint

3. Introduction
What is an employment?
Canadian Employment Law

4. Different Legislations
About 90% workers in Canada are protected by the employment laws of their province or territory
Each province and territory has its own legislation
Its compulsory to place an Employment Standards Act poster in plain sight of employees for workplaces covered by this legislation
The other 10% of Canadian employees work in places that are federally regulated

5. Employment Standards in Ontario
Employment standards in Ontario are enforced under the Employment Standards Act, (ESA)
The Ministry of Labour, through its Employment Standards Program:
enforces the ESA and its regulations
provides information and education to employers and employees, making it easier for people to understand and comply voluntarily
investigates possible violations
resolves complaints
To read more click this link

6. Employment Standards in Alberta
Employment standards in Alberta are contained in the employment standards code and regulation
Through these laws, minimum standards of employment have been established for:
Employees Under Age 18
General Holidays and General Holidays Pay
Hours of Work, Rest Periods and Days of Rest
Maternity and Parental Leave
To read more click this link

7. Federal Labour Standards
The Government of Canada has established minimum standards for employment through part III of the Canada Labour Code
To foster a positive labour environment, employers and unions are encouraged to establish more favourable rights and benefits through collective arrangements, private arrangements and employer policies
To read more about Canada Labour Code click this link

8. Discrimination and Employment Equity
The Canadian Human Rights Act (CHRA)
It came into force back in 1985 and has been updated ongoingly
Prohibits discrimination on the basis of:
Gender
Race
Ethnicity
Age
Family status
Disability
Conviction of an offence
To read more click this link

9. Discrimination and Employment Equity
The Employment Equity Act (EEA)
It falls under the Department of Justice Canada
These laws are meant to protect the rights of four “designated groups” in particular:
Women
People with disabilities
Aboriginal people
Visible minorities
To read more click this link

10. Pay Equity What do we mean by Pay Equity? To read more click this link
Equal Pay for Equal Work
Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value
Pay Equity Laws
To read more click this link

11. Health & Safety
Workers’ right to workplace health & safety appears as standards in workplace health & safety laws
These laws are known as “regulations”
To read more click this link

12. Health & Safety
It is illegal for an employer not to follow these regulations
Government inspectors play an important role in the enforcement of regulations

13. Worker’s Environmental Rights
Worker’s environmental rights are fairly new in Canada
Rights
The right to refuse to pollute
The right to report workplace pollution – popularly known as “whistle blower protection”

14. Worker’s Environmental Rights
Worker’s environmental rights are still developing
Workers' environmental rights differ between the provinces, territories and the federal workplace jurisdiction.
To read more click this link

15. Firings and Layoffs cases
Ray just found out he's being laid off from his factory job. "I'm sorry," his boss said. "There's just not enough work." Ray's been with the factory for 3 years. His boss says he's not owed any money after today because the layoff takes effect immediately.
Last week, Jessica told her boss she couldn't work any more hours. She'd already put in more than the maximum hours the law allowed. Her boss fired her for refusing the extra work.
Its against the law for en employer to dismiss Ray and Jessica like this.

16. Firings and Layoffs
If your boss doesn’t give you proper notice, you have the right to pay instead
It depends on how long you’ve worked at the same place, usually after 3-6 months you are entitled to some notice
Some exceptions:
You were hired for a definite term or task
You're temporarily laid off
You've refused another reasonable job offer from your boss
It was impossible to carry out a contract because of circumstances beyond control
You were fired for just cause.

17. Issues/problems related to workplace
"My boss laid me off, and won't pay the wages I'm owed. What can I do?"
"I'm being paid less than the minimum wage. Is there any way to force my employer to pay up?"
"I was fired—for no reason. I want my job back. Can I do anything about it?"

18. Filing a Complaint
In every province and territory, workers who feel their boss has broken the employment standards law can file a complaint
Time limits
Government cutbacks
Some exceptions
An extra hoop
For example a Self-Help Kit in B.C.
A similar situation in Prince Edward Island
Free legal assistance in Quebec
Union-members covered by collective agreements
To read more about Ontario Complaint filing procedure click this link

19. Summary Every province has different legislation
Employees and employers should be aware of the Employment Standards Law and should follow these laws
Any sort of discrimination is not tolerated and is against the law as mentioned in the Discrimination and Employment Equity
Safe workplace is the responsibility of both the employer and the employees
Complaints could be lengthy and tiresome, but the employees should stand up for their rights

20. Youth unemployment Video