Ontario Municipal Human Resources Association

Over the last few years, several significant changes have been made to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 and related regulations, stemming from the Ontario government’s Working for Workers legislative initiative. While it can be challenging to stay on top of new and seemingly ever-changing rules, requirements, obligations and rights, it is important for municipal human resources professionals to be aware of the impact of these legislative changes, including those that touch on the employee onboarding process.

One such change is the requirement to provide certain information to new hires. Effective July 1, 2025, employers – including municipal employers – with twenty-five or more employees are required to provide each new employee with the following information in writing:

• The employer’s legal name and any operating or business name (if different from the legal name);
• Contact information for the employer, including its address, phone number and one or more contact names;
• A general description of where it is anticipated the employee will initially perform work;
• The employee’s starting wage rate or commission (as applicable);
• The employer’s pay period and pay day; and
• A general description of the employee’s initial anticipated hours of work.

The above information should be provided to the new hire before their first day of work or, if that is not practicable, as soon thereafter as is reasonably possible.

Alterations to the hiring and orientation process may be required in order to be compliant with this new requirement. Human resources professionals should review their onboarding policies and practices to confirm that a process is in place to ensure that new hires receive the required information, promptly and in sufficient detail.