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Ministry of Labour to conduct Employment standards Blitz
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR YOUR MEMBERS FROM THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR MINISTRY OF LABOUR TO CONDUCT EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS RETAIL SERVICES BLITZ
From October to December 2013, the Ministry of Labour will conduct an employment standards blitz focusing on retail services. Examples of businesses that would be included in the blitz are:
• Gas stations • Convenience stores • Grocery stores • Outlet stores • Stores located in shopping malls and strip malls
These inspections will focus on employment standards related to public holidays, vacation pay, hours of work, overtime, and the posting of the mandatory "What You Should Know About the Employment Standards Act, 2000," poster. Although these are the focus, violations of other employment standards will be addressed if identified.
The goal of these inspections is to ensure compliance with the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) and its regulations, and to educate employers about their obligations.
Blitz Focus The following is a summary of some of the key employment standards issues that officers will focus on during the blitz: • Public Holidays • Vacation Pay • Mandatory Display of the Employment Standards poster • Hours of Work • Overtime
The ministry produces educational resources in 23 languages in addition to English and French. To access their multilingual resources visit Ontario.ca/EmploymentRights.
Workplace parties with questions about their employment standards rights and responsibilities can call the ministry's toll-free number and receive service in 23 languages at 1-800-531-5551. ________________________________________
Ontario is in a period of economic transition. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) and its 60,000 members firmly believe that the policy choices made today will impact our province’s competitiveness for generations to come.
The Government of Ontario is currently consulting on how to set the minimum wage. This issue is important. There is broad consensus that the current process—or lack thereof—governing the minimum wage does not work for employers and workers.
We have consulted widely with our membership through surveys, focus groups, and one-on-one interviews. Our consultations have revealed that OCC members want a process for setting the minimum wage that is based on four principles:
Predictability: Employers want a process that provides predictability so that they can plan, grow, and invest with confidence.
Transparency: Employers need a process that is open and de-politicized.
Fairness: Employers also want a process that considers the impact on both employers and workers.
Promotes Ontario’s competitiveness: Employers are job-creators. Decisions around minimum wage should not discourage investment, job creation, and economic growth.
As such, we recommend that the minimum wage be pegged to the Consumer Price Index (inflation). Of the options considered, this approach is most consistent with all four principles outlined above.
We also urge members of the panel to consider the impacts that significant and one-off hikes in the minimum wage have on businesses and employment. For many employers—particularly those in the retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors—a decision to ‘make up for lost time’ would exacerbate the challenges they face and hinder Ontario’s economic recovery.
Read the report, Predictable, Transparent, Fair: The Business Perspective on How to Set Ontario’s Minimum Wage.
The Media is already picking up on this story. SEE HERE
Upcoming Public Workshops - Something for everyone!
Ozone Depletion Prevention Training Saturday, September 14, 2013- $200 + HST As of May 2007, you no longer need to re-write the exam every three years. If you’re certified, you can simply submit a completed Renewal Form to HRAI Canada. And if your ODP Card has expired, we’re offering just what you need—this convenient one day course. Upon achieving a grade of 75% or better, you’re eligible for your card renewal. Your certification is good for five years.
Forklift Operator Safety Training September 24, 2013 - $249 + HST This is a compliant course designed for inexperienced forklift drivers and those with moderate prior experience operating a motorized, counterbalanced forklift. Your Forklift Operator Safety Certificate is valid for a three-year period. If your card has expired, you too will need this training session. This course meets or exceeds all Ontario and CSA regulations and standards.
Improve Your Website Today October 9, 2013 - $349 + HST (includes lunch and parking) How can you better manage your website information to keep clients engaged, and to reassure prospects? Here’s a full-day workshop to help you transform your website into a powerful sales tool. You’ll have the whole day to learn and apply 5 strategies to make your website content compelling to prospects. Understand how people read online, discover how to share your expertise, and get feedback on your writing all under the guidance of an e-literacy expert, website copywriter and trained facilitator.
Ontario Health and Safety Basic Certification - Level 1 October 15-17, 2013 - $459 + HST The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) requires employers to ensure at least one certified member represents management and one certified member represents workers on the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC). Level 1 training provides participants with an overall knowledge of health and safety that is applicable to all workplaces. 3A’s of Leadership and Authority – Level 1 November 12-13, 2013 - $899 + HST (includes lunch and parking) How does a supervisor or manager lead individuals, teams and departments towards higher involvement and higher quality? This question is raised by many who realize that theory cannot replace practical skills when it comes to leading people. The focus of this training is to go past theory and into practice. Participants will gain new insights on the use and misuse of authority and discover and apply practical ways to use organizational authority to lead individuals and teams to a new level of contribution.
3A’s of Leadership and Authority – Level 2 November 27, 2013 - $529 + HST (includes lunch and parking) Now that you have had the opportunity to put the 3A’s into practice with individuals, this seminar will provide you with more refined criteria to coach individuals and teams as well as to contribute to leading organizational change.
The concepts will allow team participants to choose the focus, the level of their actions with individuals or teams as well as to discern how to direct that action; towards individuals, teams, departments or whole organizations.
The learning tools include Climat-e, the electronic simulation experienced in the first level, but with higher complexity. The simulation involves participants in coaching a whole team towards higher performance.
Open House & Registration Friday, Sept. 27 at 7 pm Trenton Curling Club 293 King St.
FREE CURLING INSTRUCTION for all levels of experience...from the beginner to anyone wanting to improve their skills!!! Everyone Welcome!!! Tues. Oct. 15th to Fri. Oct. 18th 7 pm to 9 pm Trenton Curling Club 293 King St.
If you have any questions, please contact
Thanks so much.
Glenda Bruynson Manager, Trenton Curling Club (613) 392-5244 www.trentoncurlingclub.ca
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