HRdownloads Blog

Much like the beloved childhood game snakes and ladders, the legislative process can be a difficult uphill climb that leaves you uncertain of where you stand. A lot of work goes into creating and passing acts, and both the process and the language describing it can be complicated and confusing.

As an employer, compliance with the laws that apply to your organization should be a top priority. Understanding how legislation works will help you keep informed of your responsibilities and avoid making mistakes that could get your business in trouble. As an employer, you have lots to do and limited time to do it.

All businesses operate within a certain jurisdiction, or maybe in more than one. For any federally regulated organizations, such as businesses in banking, telecommunications, and transportation, it’s likely you’ve heard about the major changes coming your way.

It’s a common misconception that if an organization receives federal funding, they are federally regulated. This isn’t always the case; refer to the government of Canada’s infographic “Federal labour standards that apply to you” if you aren’t sure whether you’re federally regulated. As for the significant changes to federal legislation, some have already come into force, and others have no set date for coming into force. There are, however, a substantial number of requirements which will come into force as of September 1, 2019. Are you prepared?

Ontario’s provincial government recently passed Bill 66, the Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, 2019. The law amends a vast array of legislation, including the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) and the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (LRA). And while not as sweeping as Bill 47, the Making Ontario Open for Business Act, 2018, Bill 66 still makes significant and important changes to Ontario workplaces. As with many of the changes from previous employment legislation under the Ford government, Bill 66 primarily removes obligations from employers.

Implementing organizational change can be a difficult task for employers because employees don’t always welcome change. When implementing change, employers can use various approaches to help smooth the transition. These approaches often involve employees participating in the process, either by asking for their input or having them provide feedback. But what should employers do if the change is motivated by external factors?

Legislation influences all facets of HR: recruitment and selection, compensation, health and safety, labour relations, and so forth. It’s important for employers to be aware of the existing laws that govern the company, as well as proposed amendments and new legislation, as these can be significant external drivers for organizational change.