The Ontario government has a new entry in its Working for Workers series of acts with the latest instalment, Bill 30, Working for Workers Seven Act, focusing on several changes to the Employment Standards Act, 2000, and the Occupational Health and Safety Act, among other changes. Bill 30 contains important changes that employers in Ontario will want to know about.
Job Posting Platform Rules
Bill 30 adds new requirements to job posting platforms which are defined as online platforms on which publicly advertised job postings are posted. It does not include a job posting platform which is operated by an employer and only serves to advertise jobs with that employer. There is also a provision permitting the Government to regulate the definition of a job posting platform. As Bill 30 has recently been introduced, the regulations have not yet been released.
Job posting platform operators will need to provide a mechanism or procedure for users to report fraudulent publicly advertised job postings. They must also put together a written policy on fraudulent job postings. The legislation states that the complaint mechanism would need to direct the complaints toward the operator of the job posting board.
Job Seeking Leave
Employers who terminate 50 or more employees within a certain period and provide notice of termination, meaning employers who are engaged in a “mass termination,” must provide 3 days of leave to any employee affected by the mass termination. The job seeking leave does not need to be paid leave. The purpose of the leave is to permit employees to seek work and engage in activities related to job-seeking.
Temporary Layoff Extension
Bill 30 also adds an extension to the possible temporary layoff period for employees. Employers will now be permitted to lay employees off, without the layoff becoming a termination, for a maximum of 52 weeks in any consecutive 72-week period.
Defibrillator Reimbursement
An employer who is subject to a requirement to have a defibrillator on site may be eligible for reimbursement for the cost of that defibrillator. Certain rules and restrictions will apply to the reimbursement.
Administrative Penalties under the OHSA
A new administrative penalty regime is being added to the OHSA. In cases where an inspector finds that an individual has contravened the OHSA or has contravened an order of an inspector or Director of Occupational Health and Safety, an administrative penalty may be imposed by the inspector. New regulations will be forthcoming providing the amounts of the penalties. Stay tuned.
Free Webinar
If you’d like to find out more about this series of legislation, Bridge Legal & HR Solutions is holding two free webinar sessions focused on Bill 149, the Working for Workers Four Act. Bill 149 contains some critical changes that employers will want to know about.
Webinar Details:
Format: 30 mins of expert insights + 15 mins of live Q&A
June 24th | 12-12:45pm EST
Register Now! https://learn.bridgelegalhr.ca/products/live_events/Bill149Webinar20250624
June 25th | 12-12:45pm EST (Almost Full!)
Register Now! https://learn.bridgelegalhr.ca/products/live_events/Bill149Webinar20250625
