Toronto Star Interviews Lior Samfiru on Workers’ Rights During Ontario Heat Wave

Interview Summary

As a heat wave continues across Ontario, many who are unable to work from the safety of an air-conditioned office are questioning what right they have to refuse work. While Ontario employment laws stipulate that employers must ensure a safe workplace, what does that entail?

Lior Samfiru, an Ontario employment lawyer and co-founding Partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, spoke with the Toronto Star about employee rights during a heatwave.

Interview Notes

• Employment laws in Ontario: Lior noted that there is no specific temperature deemed “too hot” for employees, but employers must follow adequate regulations. “Ultimately, employers have to understand that working out in extreme temperatures can have significant health effects,” Samfiru said. “The employer is the one responsible for helping the employees avoid those situations.”
• Necessary precautions: “Precautions might be as simple as ensuring workers have rest breaks, access to water and a properly-ventilated space,” Samfiru explained.  “To simply say, ‘Well, if you have a problem, let me know, employee,’ that’s not going to be good enough.”
• Inspection from the Ministry of Labour: Some employees may feel the need to file a safety complaint with the Ministry of Labour. Samfiru noted that employees cannot be penalized for expressing safety concerns that lead to an inspection. “The employer can’t say, ‘Well, I told you everything was fine, employee. You didn’t listen to me, so I’m going to punish you,” Samfiru said. “That’s illegal. You have the right to refuse unsafe work, free of any repercussions.”

Related Resources

For further insights and discussions related to employee rights:

• Refusing to work if it’s too hot