Ontario’s third minimum wage increase in a single year
As of October 1, 2022, the Ontario government raised the minimum wage to $15.50, making it the third increase in a year. This past January, the minimum wage was increased to $15, including removing Liquor Servers’ wages as part of the Ontario Working for Workers Act, also known as Bill 88.
As part of the Working for Workers Act 2, here are the most significant changes:
Electronic monitoring policy
For any employers with a staff of 25 or more, they must have a written policy regarding the electronic monitoring of employees. These policies must indicate under what circumstances employees might be monitored and the purpose and method of monitoring.
Any employers with 25 or more employees on January 1, 2022, must have their policies written and implemented by October 11, 2022, and must provide this policy to their employees by November 10, 2022. If an employer has 25 or more employees on January 1 of any given year, they must have a policy in place by March 1 of the same year.
Standards for digital platform Workers
One of the most significant changes to be introduced with this Bill is how it sets new minimum standards for digital workers. Digital workers include anyone who can accept or decline work such as courier, food delivery or ride-share services. This act requires employers to maintain records and can be
Professionals who qualify as digital platform workers are entitled to these rights:
- Right to a minimum wage for tasks performed
- Right to information on pay, tips, and performance ratings
- Right to notice of dismissal
- Right to amounts earned in gratuities
Supply of Naloxone Kits for Workplaces at Risk of Opioid Overdoses
This act now requires employers to provide naloxone kits in good condition to be placed in the workplace in high-risk areas for opioid overdose. Naloxone can be a life-saving medication that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. The requirements for which employers are not overly specific, but this duty exists whenever an employer becomes aware of a risk. Employers must have a designated employee trained to identify an opioid overdose and administer the naloxone.
The province published a news release citing 30% of opioid-related deaths of employees was from the construction industry.
Specialized Minimum Wage Changes in Ontario
Along with the general minimum wage, working Ontarians will see the following increases:
Students under 18 – The student general wage has increased from $14.10 to $14.60 per hour
Hunting, fishing and wilderness guides – When working less than five consecutive hours a day, these workers earn $77.60 per day compared to the former $75. For those working five or more consecutive hours in a day, the minimum wage is $155.25 per day
Homeworkers – Homeworkers are professionals who perform paid work out of their own homes for employers.
These employees will now earn a minimum of $17.05 per hour, a raise from $16.50 per hour.
As a result, Ontarians working 40 hours per week can expect an annual rise of $1,768, and liquor servers can expect an increase of $5.512 in wages annually.
Future wage changes in Ontario
Every year on October 1 minimum wage may increase. The newly raised wages would be announced on or before April 1 of each year. Th
What if wages are raised in between payment periods?
If this raise has occurred between your paydays, you might wonder, “what can I expect to get paid?” In this case, the pay period will be treated as two separate pay periods. Employees can expect to be paid at least the minimum wage for each period.
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