Know Your Rights: A Guide to Ontario's
Employment Standards Act

Understanding your rights at work is essential for navigating employment with confidence and clarity. This course introduces the key components of Ontario’s Employment Standards Act (ESA), which outlines the minimum standards employers must follow. Participants will explore foundational concepts related to wages, hours of work, overtime, time off, and what happens when a job ends, within the context of real workplace situations.

Through clear explanations, practical examples, and workplace-relevant scenarios, this course supports learners in understanding how ESA standards apply in everyday employment settings. Participants will develop awareness of their rights and protections, learn how to recognize when something may not be aligned with those standards, and explore what options are available if concerns arise. By the end of this course, participants will feel more confident understanding their rights and navigating workplace situations with greater clarity.

Learning Outcomes

• Define key Employment Standards Act (ESA) concepts and minimum workplace standards.
• Describe core entitlements related to wages, hours of work, overtime, and time off.
• Distinguish between different types of employment status and understand how classification impacts rights.
• Explain employee protections under the ESA, including safeguards against reprisals.
• Identify entitlements related to termination, notice, and severance pay.
• Recognize common workplace situations where ESA standards may not be met.
• Describe the steps involved in addressing concerns, including how to access supports or file a claim.