Working for Workers Act, 2021
| Working for Workers Act, 2021 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Legislative Assembly of Ontario | |
| |
| Citation | S.O. 2021, c. 35 |
| Legislative history | |
| Introduced by | Monte McNaughton MPP, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development |
| First reading | 2021-10-25 |
| Second reading | 2021-11-03 |
| Third reading | 2021-11-30 |
| Status: Current legislation | |
The Working for Workers Act, 2021 (French: Loi de 2021 visant à oeuvrer pour les travailleurs) is an act of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario relating to labour rights.
Background
In 2017, a law in France gave workers the "right to disconnect".[1] The COVID-19 pandemic had significantly increased the number of workers in Ontario who worked from home.[2]
Provisions
The act requires all employers with 25 employees or more to have a written policy in place for all employees relating to "disconnecting from work".[3]
Non-compete agreements are banned, with 2 main exceptions: employees in an executive role and "a sale of a business or a part of a business".[3][4] The legislation does not void existing non-compete agreements reached before the date which the prohibition started on: October 25, 2021.[5]
The act requires temporary help agencies to be overseen by a licensing regime established by the Employment Standards Act.[3]
References
- ^ "Ontario law allowing employees to disconnect from technology after hours kicks in". Global News. June 2, 2022. Archived from the original on June 2, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
- ^ Olijnyk, Zena (February 22, 2022). "Mandating the 'right to disconnect' in Ontario". Canadian Lawyer. Archived from the original on May 31, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
- ^ a b c Rhonda, B. Levy; Verlint, Monty (November 12, 2021). "Ontario introduces Bill 27, Working for Workers Act". Human Resources Director. Archived from the original on June 25, 2025. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
- ^ Comartin, Michael; Ilunga, Gloria (December 2, 2021). "Ontario's Employment Laws: Several Significant Changes Coming Under Bill 27, the Working for Workers Act, 2021". National Law Review. Archived from the original on June 26, 2025. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
- ^ "Working for Workers Act doesn't void non-compete agreements". Human Resources Director. March 23, 2022. Archived from the original on March 26, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2025.