How the right-to-disconnect legislation impacts Ontario employees

Interview Summary

As the Ontario government introduces new legislation, employees and employers are wondering how the workplace will change as a result. Will employees be permitted to disconnect by their employers? How will the right to disconnect be enforced?

Alex Lucifero, an Ottawa employment lawyer and partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP joins CTV News Ottawa with Matt Skube to discuss this legislation and employee rights.

Interview Notes

What does the right to disconnect legislation mean for employees and employers in Ontario?

This legislation means employers have to draw a hard line between work and the personal lives of their employees. Policies in the workplace will have to be implemented that detail when an employer is allowed to contact an employee and that employees must not be contacted after regular work hours. Disconnecting from the workplace has become particularly difficult for many employees during the pandemic as the lines between work and daily life have blurred due to working remotely.

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What is my right to disconnect at the workplace?

What can an employee do if their employer overloads them with work or changes their duties in a significant way?

Currently, the Ontario legislation is only concerned with employers implementing a right to disconnect policy in the workplace and stops short at the mention of enforcement and other details. it will be difficult for employees to file a complaint with the Ministry of Labour.

What effect will the banning of non-competition clauses have on employees and employers?

Employees will benefit from a ban on the non-competition clause as the provision limits an employee’s ability to find future employment. By banning non-compete clauses will send a clear message to employers that these clauses will be effectively useless.