GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION
The Ontario government passed legislation on May 4, 2009 to better protect “elect to work”—or temporary—employees under the Employment Standards Act, 2000.
In December, the government introduced Bill 139—the Employment Standards Amendments Act (Temporary Help Agencies), 2008. The bill sets out obligations and prohibitions relating to temporary help agencies and ensures temporary employees are treated fairly and have better opportunities to move to sustainable employment.
The new legislation addresses the following:
- Establishes that temporary employees are covered by the Employment Standards Act
- When a temporary employee is assigned work by the temporary help agency, that agency is the persons employer and this person is an employee of that agency
- Ensures temporary workers are aware of their rights under the Employment Standards Act
- Stops temporary help agencies from charging workers for resume writing and interview preparation
- Ensures temporary workers have all the information they need about their assignments, especially pay schedules and job descriptions
- Enables the government to enact future regulations so temporary employees have notice to termination and severance pay rights that align with the rights of permanent employees
- When offering a work assignment with a client, temporary work agencies will have to provide:
- The legal operating or business name of the client
- Client contact information including address, telephone number and at least one contact name
- The hourly or other wage rate or commission and benefits associated with each assignment
- The hours of work for the assignment
- A description of the work to be performed
- The pay period and or pay date established by the temporary help agency
The information presented above is an overview of Bill 139 relating to the changes to the Employment Standards Act affecting temporary employees. For more detailed information please see the Governement website at:
http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/es/tha_video.php