The Ontario government is introducing new legislation that would require large employers to implement “right to disconnect” policies and ban non-compete clauses.
The law would require employers with 25 or more employees to develop work disconnection policies, which could include expectations for email response times and encourage employees to turn on absence notifications when they are not working. .
Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labor, Training and Skills Development, will introduce the Work for Workers Act, 2021.
“Make no mistake, the bill supports people or our province who work hard, have a good shift and take pride in a job well done,” McNaughton said at a press conference Monday.
“This is a bill that leaves no one behind.”
McNaughton’s legislation marks the PC Party’s latest appeal to workers – a key voting group in the 2022 election.
Earlier in October, McNaughton unveiled new rules for temporary employment agencies, including a system to shut down temp companies that violate employment standards. The government is also in the process of creating a dedicated team of inspectors to eliminate the illegal treatment of temporary workers and recover unpaid wages. McNaughton said COVID-19 has changed the way we work, leaving too many people behind, struggling to put food on the table and make ends meet for their families.
The lines between family time and working time have blurred.– Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labor, Training and Skills Development
He said these rules would further rebalance the scales.
“Today’s bill shows that Ontario is ready to pave the way for the workplaces of tomorrow and create the conditions that will inspire talented and innovative people to want to work in our great province. he said.
Meanwhile, McNaughton has said he doesn’t want Ontario to become a place where people burn themselves out from endless work and family time comes last.
“This is a problem that has really come to light because of the pandemic,” McNaughton said. “The lines between family time and work time have become blurred. I think we have all faced challenges over the past couple of years.”
Mixed reaction from the opposition
Opposition parties in Ontario have applauded the principles behind the bill, but some have expressed skepticism about pressure from the Progressive Conservatives to side with the working people.
“[This is] a party that has done so much harm to workers, by rolling back minimum wage increases, taking away paid sick leave, not acting quickly enough during the second and third waves of the pandemic to pass legislation to supporting frontline workers, ”said Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner.
“I think actions speak louder than words and I think workers in Ontario will see through the government’s late actions.”
Premier Doug Ford overturned a planned $ 15 minimum wage increase enacted in the previous Liberal government’s law, which also guaranteed workers 10 days of personal emergency days, two of which were paid.
These days have been replaced by three days of sickness, three days of family responsibility and two days of mourning, none paid. During the pandemic, the Conservatives introduced a temporary three-day paid sick day program.
NDP Deputy Leader Sara Singh said the proposals McNaughton announced at various press conferences are ideas her party supports, but she is concerned about the details of the bill, given the source.
“These are New Democrat values and we will continue to fight, but let’s not forget this is a government that lowered the minimum wage, eliminated paid sick leave and was not pro-worker “she said. noted.
Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca said he was eager to read the details of the bill, but called it encouraging that the government at least recently talked about more support for workers.
“I mean overall, although it’s late, although I know a lot of Ontarians don’t think it’s necessarily genuine, if it’s going to produce a positive outcome for workers and their families, it deserves support, ”he said. “It has merit.”
The law prohibits the use of non-competition agreements
The bill will also prohibit employers from using non-competition agreements. These types of contracts often prevent employees from taking new jobs with another company in the same field after they leave the company.
The government has said the proposed changes will ban this unfair restriction to help Ontario workers advance their careers and earn more money.
Employers would still be able to protect their intellectual property with more restrictive covenants, the government said.
The legislation would also make it easier for immigrants to obtain a permit to work in occupations that correspond to their area of expertise, would require temporary help agencies to be licensed, and would require businesses to leave delivery drivers behind. use their toilet.
Sari Abdo, co-founder and CEO of Toronto-based startup hungerhub, said allowing drivers and couriers to use the restroom on their routes directly affects its employees.
He also praised the work-life balance initiative, saying it is important to his business.
“We consider this to be a very important part of doing business,” Abdo said at Monday’s briefing.
Hungerhub offers meal delivery to workplaces.
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