Know Your Employment Rights: A Guide for Workers in Canada

As a worker and employee in Ontario, there are laws to protect you and make sure your employer is treating you fairly. Being aware of these laws can help you navigate your role in the workplace.

This series of posts provides a brief overview of some important things to know about various parts of the Canadian legal system. It is not a comprehensive guide, nor is it legal advice for any specific situation. If you need legal advice, you should contact a lawyer or a community legal clinic (CLC). CLCs offer free legal advice for low-income people and people who may have other barriers to accessing legal help. Find a CLC near you using Legal Aid's tool on their website. You can also call Pro Bono Ontario’s free legal advice hotline at 1-855-255-7256. If you are not ready to talk to a lawyer about your specific situation, Steps to Justice has answers to many legal questions and lists simple steps to take to resolve common legal issues.

Laws and rights protecting you at your place of employment

There are laws that govern how Canadian employers can treat their workers. It is very important to be aware of your rights as an employee, and you should never be afraid to ask your boss about your rights or bring up your concerns—it is illegal for employers to punish or threaten to punish their employees for asking about their legal and safety rights. There are some simple steps you can take to make sure you are protected at work, such as documenting your hours and days worked and keeping any paystubs you receive. The Worker’s Action Centre lists three things you can do to protect yourself at work. It is available in several languages and offers advice on ensuring you are treated properly at work.

Some of the laws discussed here may not apply to you if you are self-employed, or if you work in certain industries. For example, if you work at a hospital, you may be required to work on public holidays. You can learn more about industries and jobs with exemptions from the Government of Ontario website.

As of March 2025, Ontario has a minimum wage of $17.20 an hour, so it is illegal for any employer to pay you less than that, unless you are under the age of 18, in which case the minimum wage is $16.20 an hour. You are legally entitled to at least a 30-minute unpaid break for every 5 hours of work.

In addition to the laws around pay and breaks, there are many rules intended to keep you safe at your job. At many jobs, you can refuse to do work that is dangerous. You are also protected by law from harassment or abuse (verbal or physical) at your workplace.

Getting help if you lose your job or your rights are violated

If you are fired from your job and you have worked a certain number of days in the last year, you are entitled to receive Employment Insurance (EI) from the government. This is short-term money from the government to help you stay afloat while you look for a new job. You should apply as soon as you lose your job – if you wait more than 4 weeks, it may be difficult for you to qualify. You can apply for Employment Insurance online.

The Worker’s Action Centre has a guide that discusses many important legal rights and protections for employees. You can use the Steps to Justice guide to find out what laws apply to you in your specific job. If your employer violates any of these rules, you can make a complaint to the Ministry of Labour. You may be able to get paid the money you are owed or receive other financial compensation. You can file a complaint online, by mail or by fax. The Government of Ontario has instructions on how to do so.