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• Full and part-time University of Waterloo undergraduate students who are members of the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) have access to the Student Legal Protection Program.

• Full and part-time University of Waterloo graduate students have access to the Legal Protection Program.

The Canadian Human Rights Act ensures all people in Canada are treated fairly and equally. It prohibits discrimination and unfair treatment based on race, gender, disability and other protected grounds in areas of employment and public service. This act applies to all people within Canada’s borders, regardless of citizenship status.

Employment Equity Act

The Employment Equity Act increases fairness and equality in certain industries and workplaces by addressing imbalances in employment opportunities and working conditions for women, First Nations, Inuit and Métis people, racialized groups and people with disabilities. This act encourages employers to take steps to make their workforce more representative and diverse.

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Canada Labour Code

The Canada Labour Code defines the rights and responsibilities of all workers and employers in federally regulated industries and workplaces including occupational health and safety and employment standards. The Canada Labour Code provides an employee with three rights:

• The right to know – about known or foreseeable hazards in the workplace.

• The right to participate – in identifying and correcting job-related health and safety concerns.

• The right to refuse dangerous work – if you have cause to believe a condition, machine or activity presents a danger to you or other employees.

The Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC)

The OHRC ensures individuals and organizations in Ontario are treated fairly and equally. The OHRC promotes a just and inclusive society. It prohibits harassment and discrimination based on race, gender, disability and other protected grounds in social areas such as employment and housing. The OHRC generally applies to situations that occur within the province, but there are exceptions.

OHRC's frequently asked questions has more on these exceptions.

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The Employment Standards Act (ESA)

The Ontario ESA sets out the basic rights and protections for designated employees and organizations in the province of Ontario. It outlines rules that require employers to treat employees fairly and respectfully. In cases where a provision in an employment contract, or another piece of legislation, gives a worker a greater right or benefit than the minimum employment standard in the ESA, that provision applies to the worker instead of the minimal employment (ESA) standard. For example, a collective agreement negotiated by a worker’s union grants workers more vacation time that the ESA provides for.

Most employees and employers in Ontario are covered by the ESA. However, the ESA doesn’t apply to some employees and the organizations they work for (e.g., the federal civil service).

The ESA covers topics such as:

• Pregnancy and parental leave

• Family caregiver leave

• Termination of employment

• Vacation

• Equal pay for equal work

• Minimum wage

• Overtime pay

• more ESA topics and information…

Ontario ESA policies for employers with 25+ employees

• Disconnecting from work: There are no rules on what the policy must include, however you should expect the employer to follow their established internal policy. 

• Electronic monitoring

  • The policy must include whether the employer electronically monitors its workers, and if so, how and under what circumstances, and the purposes of collecting the information. 

  • This requirement doesn’t establish a right for employees not to be electronically monitored by their employer or create new privacy laws for employees. 

Co-op students: if you are employed in Ontario as a co-op student, you’re not covered by the ESA. Please refer to the co-op roles and responsibilities: Payment, vacation days and overtime for more information. If you have questions about ESA policies please contact your co-op advisor. 

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The Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)

The OHSA provides a legal framework to protect workers in Ontario from health and safety hazards on the job. The OHSA:

• Sets out duties for all workplace parties and rights for workers to help establish a strong internal responsibility system (IRS) in the workplace

• Establishes measures and procedures for dealing with workplace hazards

• Provides enforcement of the law where compliance has not been achieved voluntarily

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The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)

The AODA is designed to reduce and remove barriers for people with disabilities to access goods, services, facilities, accommodation, employment, buildings, structures and premises. The AODA requires public and private organizations to create and follow plans to improve accessibility in areas like customer service and communication under the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity.

Employees don’t have a general right to work remotely (from home). Your employer may have a remote work policy, or you may reach an agreement on a remote work plan with your employer. In some cases, remote work may be arranged due to an employee’s workplace accommodation request. 

Generally, if you’ve requested to work remotely you’re expected to provide your own equipment. If your employer is requiring you to work remotely, they’re expected to provide appropriate equipment to allow you to complete your job responsibilities. 

Remote work resources: 

• https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/telework.html#section-1-hdr

• https://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/policy-ableism-and-discrimination-based-disability/8-duty-accommodate

• https://aoda.ca/remote-work-to-accommodate-workers-with-a-disability/

• https://uwaterloo.ca/co-operative-education/supports-and-resources/tips-for-working-remotely-as-a-co-op-student

• https://uwaterloo.ca/accessability-services/

If you’re a new or current Waterloo student, or you’re an alumnus and it’s been eight months or less after your last term, you have access to the Immigration Consulting services and resources through the Student Success Office (SSO). Immigration consultants can provide information about a variety of immigration topics including working in Canada.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada provides information on a variety of topics related to studying and working in Canada as an international student. Topics include working on and off campus, working in Canada after graduation and helping your spouse or common-law partner work in Canada.

If you’re interested in working in Ontario permanently, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has more information.