How much does my employer have to pay me?
In most jobs, you must make at least $8.75 an hour. That’s the general minimum wage for Ontario. Students under 18 can be paid $8.20 an hour; liquor servers can be paid $7.60 an hour. Homeworkers receive a minimum of $9.63 per hour. Hunting and fishing guides receive $43.75 for working less than five consecutive hours in a day and $87.50 for five or more hours in a day whether or not the hours are consecutive.
Can an employer pay women less than men?
If a man and a woman are doing substantially the same work, their employer must pay them the same wage. This is called “equal pay for equal work”.
Do I get vacation with pay?
Yes, after you work a year for the same employer. Then you must get at least two weeks vacation with pay. Your employer must pay you at least 4% of your total wages for the year.
If you quit or are laid off before working for one year, you must get 4% of your total wages as vacation pay.
Who gets paid public holidays?
Ontario has eight public holidays. They are: New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Boxing Day. There are rules about who gets these days off with pay. Some workers do, but others don’t. It depends on what kind of job you have. It also depends on when and how long you worked there.
How many hours do I have to work?
Eight hours a day and 48 hours a week are the limits unless you agree in writing to work longer. The Tory government passed Bill 147 in 2001 that makes it legal for an employer to ask you to work up to 60 hours a week. If you sign such an agreement when you first hire on to a job, you cannot revoke it unless your employer agrees to do so. If you sign such an agreement during the course of your employment, you can revoke it on two weeks written notice to your employer.
What breaks do I get?
You must get at least 30 minutes for a meal break after every five hours of work. Your employer does not have to pay for this time. Under Bill 147, you may divide your 30 minute break into two 15 minute breaks if you choose.
When do I get overtime pay?
Under Bill 147, employers can now average the hours you work over a four week period. It is only after 176 hours in the four week period that you will be paid overtime. The overtime rate is “time-and-a-half.” For example, if your regular wage rate is $10 an hour, your overtime rate is $15 an hour.
For more information concerning your rights at work, contact us via email or call 1-877-230-1999.
