Just as the summer winds down, we have an update on Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017. Those who tuned-in for the McCarthy Tétrault webinars on Bill 148 will recall that public consultations were to be held across the province in July to elicit feedback on the draft Bill.
Following the public consultations, we understand that Bill 148 will undergo some adjustments before it is introduced at Second Reading in the Ontario legislature, including:
- addition of a 17 week, unpaid Domestic or Sexual Violence Leave;
- clarification that the paid emergency leave days will be paid at straight time and not at an overtime or shift premium rate;
- an exemption for weather-dependent businesses from the mandatory 3 hours of pay when shifts are cancelled on less than 48 hours' notice; and
- an exemption for emergencies or threats to public safety from the right to refuse work on less than 96 hours' notice.
The majority of Bill 148 still seems to be intact, including the minimum wage increases and equal pay for equal work. The actual language of the amended Bill 148 will likely be available once the legislature resumes in September, prior to Second Reading. We will provide further updates on the status and content of the Bill as it progresses.
In the interim, if you have any questions about The Fair Workplace, Better Jobs Act, 2017 and how it will impact your workplace, do not hesitate to contact Tim Lawson, Matthew Demeo or any lawyer in our Ontario Labour and Employment Law group.
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