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Ontario working for workers by increasing minimum wage to $15 an hourAs part of its plan to grow an economy that works for everyone, the Ontario government has raised the general minimum wage to $15.00 per hour, as of January 1, 2022. This new, higher general minimum wage is expanded to now include bartenders and alcohol servers. The special minimum wages for students under 18, homeworkers and hunting, fishing and wilderness guides have also increased. Learn more |
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New COVID-19 guidance impacting workers and workplacesOn December 30, 2021 the Ministry of Health released interim guidance on testing and case, contact and outbreak management in response to the surge of Omicron in Ontario. At this time only specific subgroups of individuals with or without symptoms of COVID-19 are eligible for molecular testing (PCR and rapid molecular testing). An updated list of symptoms of COVID-19 is now being used to determine if an individual needs to self-isolate along with their household members. The duration of self-isolation has decreased to 5 to 10 days depending on age, vaccination, and health status. The document also includes specific guidance for highest risk settings. Learn more |
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COVID-19 webinars: Information for employers & workers about ESA and OHSAAttend our webinars to learn more about employer obligations and employee rights under the Employment Standards Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act as they relate to COVID-19. Learn more |
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Province helping people start healthcare careers in northern OntarioThe Ontario government is investing more than $10.6 million to train 500 workers for well-paying and in-demand jobs at hospitals, long-term care homes, and with home care providers in Northern Ontario. This investment will help job seekers get the skills they need to find rewarding careers as medical laboratory assistants, personal support workers, and home support workers. Learn more |
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Ontario’s Small Business Health and Safety ProgramOntario’s Small Business Health and Safety Training Program reimburses eligible employers for health and safety representative training for a selected employee in an Ontario workplace. Eligible employers can now apply to be reimbursed for the course registration cost of $25 for the representative and $150 toward the cost of the representative’s training time, for a total reimbursement of $175. Learn more |
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Amendments to Industrial Establishments RegulationAmendments to pre-start review requirements in section 7 of the Industrial Establishments Regulation came into effect on January 1, 2022. The updated Guideline for Pre-Start Health and Safety Reviews is now available online. The guide includes updated compliance information for employers and helpful flow charts. Learn more |
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New CRE-MSD series helps explain the Ontario health and safety systemThe Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD) has released a three-part series that explains the structure of Ontario’s health and safety system. These papers outline the roles of the various partner organizations that make up the system, including government bodies, health and safety associations and research centres. Get the three resource papers. |
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Why does the gender wage gap persist? How do we close it? Listen to a new podcast series by Ontario's Pay Equity CommissionerThe team at the Pay Equity Office has launched a 6-part web-series called Level the Paying Field, recently released as a series of podcasts, where Kadie Ward, Commissioner and CAO of Ontario’s Pay Equity Commission, hosts a series of compelling discussions about gender wage gaps, and how to close them with experts from the International Labour Organization, Harvard Business School, University of Toronto, and more. All episodes and podcasts are now available online. Learn more |
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IHSA podcast – supervisor seriesThe IHSA Safety Podcast is a free podcast from the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association that seeks to improve the lives of workers in Ontario. This multi-part series on supervisors kicks-off with a discussion with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development’s Assistant Deputy Minister, Jody Young. Jody oversees the Fair, Safe and Healthy Workplaces Division, and is all too familiar with why supervisors are a critically important component to a healthy and safe workplace. To listen to this podcast and to explore its many other episodes on all things health and safety, visit IHSA’s Safety Podcast page. |
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IWH announces new presidentDr. Peter Smith has been appointed the president of the Institute for Work & Health (IWH). Smith, a member of IWH’s scientific staff for over 15 years and most recently IWH’s scientific co-director, stepped into the new role on January 17, 2022. Smith replaces Dr. Cameron Mustard, who retired as IWH president after 20 years in the position. |
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OHCOW: Free webinars and updated COVID resourcesOccupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers Inc. (OHCOW) news and updates:
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WSN: Client survey, most popular resource information, Excellence program application due by Feb. 18Workplace Safety North (WSN) news and updates:
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WSPS: Culture of phycological safety, supervising remote workers, avoiding cold stress and free e-coursesWorkplace Safety & Prevention Service (WSPS) news and updates:
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