By CRM Staff
Peterborough, Ontario — November 28, 2017 — Legislation is important to protect the rights of vulnerable workers, but new laws can have a significant effect on the way small firms operate their business. Collision Repair magazine recently found that body shops in Ontario had mixed views on the newly implemented ‘Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act 2017’ in the province. Read all about it here.
The new laws look to promote fairness in Ontario’s workplaces while creating more security and opportunity for vulnerable workers and their families. The act will raise the minimum wage, expand personal emergency leave, increase vacation time and step up enforcement of employment laws. But how will this affect collision repairers? Click here for a survey and share your opinion with us.
The Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act 2017 will:
- Raise Ontario’s general minimum wage to $14 per hour on January 1, 2018, and then to $15 on January 1, 2019, followed by annual increases at the rate of inflation.
- Mandate equal pay for part-time, temporary, casual and seasonal employees doing the same job as full-time employees; and equal pay for temporary help agency employees doing the same job as employees at the agencies’ client companies.
- Bump personal emergency leave up to 10 days per calendar year for all employees, with at least two paid days per year for employees who have been employed for at least a week.
- Ban employers from requiring a doctor’s sick note from an employee taking personal emergency leave.
- Provide up to 17 weeks off without the fear of losing their job when a worker or their child has experienced or is threatened with domestic or sexual violence, including paid leave for the first five days.
- Bring Ontario’s vacation time in line with the national average by ensuring at least three weeks’ vacation after five years with the same employer.
- Make employee scheduling fairer, including requiring employees to be paid for three hours of work if their shift is cancelled within 48 hours of its scheduled start time.
- The government is also expanding family leaves and adding measures to ensure that employees are not misclassified as independent contractors, ensuring they get the benefits and protections they deserve.
The collision repairers we spoke to seemed to be happy about some aspects of the legislation, but concerned that others may have detrimental effects on their business.
Perhaps you are worried about increased vacation leave, impressed by a higher minimum wage, or simply unsure what this all means for you. Collision Repair magazine wants to know what you think. Please visit our survey and tell us how the new legislation may, or may not, change the way you run your business.
We look forward to hearing your thoughts!
