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HR compliance

Be your own expert with our collection of resources on Canadian HR compliance.

Guide to Hiring in Canada

April 22, 2025

Guide to Hiring in Canada

If you are looking to hire in Canada, whether you are just entering the Canadian employment market or expanding operations to another province, it is important to understand your legal obligations throughout the hiring process. At each stage of the hiring process in Canada there are important legal obligations that employers – and HR professionals – need to be aware of.

Statutory Holidays – 5 Key Considerations

Apr 14, 2025

Statutory Holidays – 5 Key Considerations

Employees across Canada are entitled to several paid statutory holidays. There are 5 key considerations…

Mandatory Employee Training in Canada: How to Stay Compliant

Apr 8, 2025

Mandatory Employee Training in Canada: How to Stay Compliant

When developing an employee training program, it is critical to ensure that employers provide all…

US Tariffs and Canadian Layoffs – 5 Tips

Mar 23, 2025

US Tariffs and Canadian Layoffs – 5 Tips

Economic uncertainty driven by US tariffs and an impending trade war mean a likely increase…

Guide to Mandatory Employee Communications

Mar 17, 2025

Guide to Mandatory Employee Communications

Canadian employment laws mandate that employers provide certain employee communications. Failure to comply can lead…

2025 HR Law Check-Up: 5 Requirements to Review

Jan 20, 2025

2025 HR Law Check-Up: 5 Requirements to Review

As we kick off the new year, it is a great time for employers to…

HR Policies Are Not Enough: Understanding the Legal Obligations of Canadian Employers

Jan 15, 2025

HR Policies Are Not Enough: Understanding the Legal Obligations of Canadian Employers

As an HR professional in Canada, you are well-versed in the importance of having strong…

Ontario Job Postings – New Requirements Come into Force Jan. 1, 2026

Dec 6, 2024

Ontario Job Postings – New Requirements Come into Force Jan. 1, 2026

In an earlier post we provided a breakdown of the key elements of these new…

2024 Year in Review – 5 Key HR Law Trends

Dec 2, 2024

2024 Year in Review – 5 Key HR Law Trends

In our 2024 year in review, we look at 5 key HR compliance trends –…

Your Questions Answered: Key Employment Law Changes in Ontario

Nov 10, 2024

Your Questions Answered: Key Employment Law Changes in Ontario

We recently presented a webinar with the Ontario HRPA titled “Navigating the Future: Key Employment…

Canada Labour Code: 5 Key Changes for Federal Employers

Nov 7, 2024

Canada Labour Code: 5 Key Changes for Federal Employers

If you are a federally-regulated employer, you may be wondering if the pace of change…

New Laws for Remote & Hybrid Work

Oct 8, 2024

New Laws for Remote & Hybrid Work

The rise of remote and hybrid work has caught the attention of Canadian governments, leading…

Beware – Why Record Keeping Matters

Oct 8, 2024

Beware – Why Record Keeping Matters

Record keeping is not just good practice; it is a legal requirement. Employers are mandated…

Legal Support for Compliance Works Subscribers

Sep 3, 2024

Legal Support for Compliance Works Subscribers

Compliance Works is offering new legal support options for HR teams. Annual subscribers can now…

HR Law Fall Preview: Changes to Watch For

Sep 1, 2024

HR Law Fall Preview: Changes to Watch For

Legislatures across Canada will start returning later this month, and HR law amendments will likely…

Illegal Job Interview Questions: 4 Tips for Employers

Aug 21, 2024

Illegal Job Interview Questions: 4 Tips for Employers

Conducting job interviews is a crucial step in the hiring process, but it’s also one…

The Costs of HR Compliance: Reducing Your HR Budget

Aug 19, 2024

The Costs of HR Compliance: Reducing Your HR Budget

In Canada’s complex regulatory environment, HR compliance is crucial for any organization. However, this comes…

New Job Posting Rules: What Employers Should Know

Jun 11, 2024

New Job Posting Rules: What Employers Should Know

Recent amendments to laws regarding what must (and must not) be included in job postings…

AI – 5 Legal Issues to Navigate

May 27, 2024

AI – 5 Legal Issues to Navigate

AI is transforming business, and it is transforming the workforce. HR has a critical role…

2 Proposed Changes to Ontario Sick Leave Laws

May 2, 2024

2 Proposed Changes to Ontario Sick Leave Laws

Employers with Ontario employees should be aware of two potential changes to Ontario sick leave…

Quebec Bill 42 Expands Workplace Harassment & Violence Laws

Apr 9, 2024

Quebec Bill 42 Expands Workplace Harassment & Violence Laws

Quebec passed Bill 42, An Act to prevent and fight psychological harassment and sexual violence…

Insights From a Strategic HR Leader

Mar 19, 2024

Insights From a Strategic HR Leader

We wanted to learn more about strategic HR leadership and the issues that are important…

Responding to Employee Complaints

Mar 18, 2024

Responding to Employee Complaints

Complaints by an employee are always difficult, but learning that an employee has filed a…

U.S. Employers: Top 10 Canadian HR Compliance Issues

Mar 11, 2024

U.S. Employers: Top 10 Canadian HR Compliance Issues

For U.S. employers who are new to Canada - whether buying a Canadian company or…

Losing Sleep Over Layoffs? 5 Tips to Guide You

Feb 8, 2024

Losing Sleep Over Layoffs? 5 Tips to Guide You

The increase in layoffs that started during the pandemic seems to be continuing into 2024.…

Employee Psychological Well-Being: Employer Legal Duties

Jan 16, 2024

Employee Psychological Well-Being: Employer Legal Duties

Employment laws across Canada make it clear that employers have a legal obligation to protect…

The Year Ahead – HR Trends in 2024

Jan 8, 2024

The Year Ahead – HR Trends in 2024

As HR teams look to the year ahead and begin setting priorities, it is important…

Ontario HR Compliance Check Up – 5 Key Requirements

Jan 7, 2024

Ontario HR Compliance Check Up – 5 Key Requirements

It's a great time for employers to do an Ontario HR compliance check up. We…

2023 Year in Review – Top 5 HR Compliance Trends

Dec 6, 2023

2023 Year in Review – Top 5 HR Compliance Trends

In our 2023 year in review, we take a look at 5 key HR law…

Ontario Bill 149 – More Employment Law Changes for Employers

Nov 20, 2023

Ontario Bill 149 – More Employment Law Changes for Employers

Ontario Bill 149, Working for Workers Four Act, 2023 is the province’s 5th Bill in the…

AI and HR – Risks and Legal Obligations

Nov 13, 2023

AI and HR – Risks and Legal Obligations

AI is probably the hottest topic of the moment. Here's something to think about though…

Hiring in Canada? 4 Things to Know

Oct 25, 2023

Hiring in Canada? 4 Things to Know

Hiring is a key HR function, involving everything from analyzing job requirements, drafting job descriptions…

Health and Safety – 10 Key Requirements to Know

Oct 13, 2023

Health and Safety – 10 Key Requirements to Know

In Canada, many health and safety requirements apply as soon as an organization hires its…

Workplace Culture Starts with HR Compliance

Oct 10, 2023

Workplace Culture Starts with HR Compliance

When you think about HR compliance and why it is important, what’s the first thing…

Do You Know Your Employees?

Sep 29, 2023

Do You Know Your Employees?

To understand your obligations as an employer, you first need to know who is an…

New HR Compliance Checklist Tool

Sep 25, 2023

New HR Compliance Checklist Tool

Compliance Works has launched a new feature – interactive HR compliance checklists for each Canadian…

Canada Labour Code Changes – What’s New & What’s Next

Sep 6, 2023

Canada Labour Code Changes – What’s New & What’s Next

A recap of amendments to the Canada Labour Code which came into force in 2023,…

Unionizing – 3 Things to Know

Aug 3, 2023

Unionizing – 3 Things to Know

The labour movement seems to be on the rise again. We are hearing more and…

Mass Termination – 3 Special Considerations

Jul 30, 2023

Mass Termination – 3 Special Considerations

Mass terminations having been making the news in the past year, with the impact hitting…

Which Leave of Absence Applies when a Family Member is Sick?

Jul 18, 2023

Which Leave of Absence Applies when a Family Member is Sick?

When an employee needs to take a leave of absence to care for a sick…

Federal Employment Information – 2 Changes Coming

Jul 4, 2023

Federal Employment Information – 2 Changes Coming

Federal employers must post additional employment information in their workplaces and provide new employee statements…

New Federal Reimbursement Requirements

Jun 26, 2023

New Federal Reimbursement Requirements

As of July 9, 2023 federally-regulated employers will be required to reimburse employees for reasonable…

Bill C-13 Applies French Language Laws to Federal Private Sector

Jun 23, 2023

Bill C-13 Applies French Language Laws to Federal Private Sector

The federal government recently passed Bill C-13, which will establish French language rights for Quebec-based…

Director Liability – Employment Standards Non-Compliance

May 22, 2023

Director Liability – Employment Standards Non-Compliance

A while back we wrote a post about the general liability of directors and officers…

Banked Overtime – 2 Ways to Find Answers

May 16, 2023

Banked Overtime – 2 Ways to Find Answers

One of the frequent queries that we see in Compliance Works relates to banked overtime.…

HR Laws: Top 4 Mistakes to Avoid

Apr 28, 2023

HR Laws: Top 4 Mistakes to Avoid

Employment legislation or HR laws can be incredibly complex, are frequently amended and vary from…

Vacation – 3 Rules for Compliance

Apr 24, 2023

Vacation – 3 Rules for Compliance

The Ontario government reported that vacation pay/vacation time was one of the top employment standards…

Remote Work – What are the HR Compliance Implications?

Apr 19, 2023

Remote Work – What are the HR Compliance Implications?

Transitioning from an in-person to a fully remote workplace can be particularly jarring for employers…

Human Rights – 4 Employer Obligations

Apr 14, 2023

Human Rights – 4 Employer Obligations

There have been a number of significant awards against Canadian employers in the past year…

Amendments to Ontario Employment Legislation – 5 Changes to Watch For

Apr 2, 2023

Amendments to Ontario Employment Legislation – 5 Changes to Watch For

Over the last three years, the government has been busy amending Ontario employment legislation. So,…

Pay Transparency – A Trend to Watch

Mar 22, 2023

Pay Transparency – A Trend to Watch

Pay transparency is a hot topic in Canada right now, with strong public support for…

What’s New in Pregnancy and Parental Leave in Canada?

Feb 28, 2023

What’s New in Pregnancy and Parental Leave in Canada?

Compliance Works reviews (i) the basics of pregnancy and parental leaves - that every employer…

Minimum Wage – Is Inflation Driving it Up ?

Feb 27, 2023

Minimum Wage – Is Inflation Driving it Up ?

Minimum wage is an employment standard that has traditionally been subject to regular, scheduled, increases.…

Accessibility Laws in Canada – What to Watch for in 2023

Feb 22, 2023

Accessibility Laws in Canada – What to Watch for in 2023

Over the last few years, an increasing number of jurisdictions in Canada have been enacting…

Workplace Harassment and Violence – What Employers Need to Know

Feb 8, 2023

Workplace Harassment and Violence – What Employers Need to Know

The federal government and most provinces in Canada set out detailed workplace harassment and violence…

March 1 Deadline – Disconnecting From Work and Electronic Monitoring

Feb 3, 2023

March 1 Deadline – Disconnecting From Work and Electronic Monitoring

March 1 of each year is the deadline for two new policies in Ontario. Employers…

Ontario Records Checklist – 2 Key Requirements

Feb 2, 2023

Ontario Records Checklist – 2 Key Requirements

Employment records must be maintained by employers in every workplace in Canada. These requirements are…

French Language Laws Triggered by 1 Quebec Employee

Jan 30, 2023

French Language Laws Triggered by 1 Quebec Employee

Employers outside of Québec may not realize that many of Québec's French language requirements are…

Wages – 10 Key Issues

Jan 26, 2023

Wages – 10 Key Issues

Most employers are aware that they must pay their employees at least the minimum wage…

Health and Safety Committees – 3 Key Questions Answered

Jan 18, 2023

Health and Safety Committees – 3 Key Questions Answered

It is important for employers to understand the fundamentals of health and safety committees, as…

UPDATED – Hiring a Student? 3 Important Considerations

Jan 16, 2023

UPDATED – Hiring a Student? 3 Important Considerations

As organizations and HR teams start to set plans for the upcoming months, many of…

Naloxone Kits Required at Ontario Workplaces

Jan 11, 2023

Naloxone Kits Required at Ontario Workplaces

Just before the holidays, the Ontario government announced that new rules mandating naloxone kits in…

Strategic HR Compliance – 3 Ways to Leverage Compliance to Improve the Bottom Line

Dec 13, 2022

Strategic HR Compliance – 3 Ways to Leverage Compliance to Improve the Bottom Line

It's time that we start thinking about HR compliance as something more than just a…

HR Compliance Year In Review 2022 – 5 Key Takeaways for HR Teams

Dec 8, 2022

HR Compliance Year In Review 2022 – 5 Key Takeaways for HR Teams

Our 2022 HR compliance "year in review" considers 5 key developments - all of which…

Employment Standards – Top 10 Requirements You Need to Know

Nov 20, 2022

Employment Standards – Top 10 Requirements You Need to Know

Employment standards requirements apply as soon as a business or nonprofit hires its first employee.…

UPDATED – 10 Paid Sick Days: Changes Coming to Federal Workplaces in Canada

Nov 10, 2022

UPDATED – 10 Paid Sick Days: Changes Coming to Federal Workplaces in Canada

Effective December 1, 2022, new paid sick leave requirements go into effect for all federally-regulated…

Gig Workers Estimated 10% of Canadian Workforce

Nov 7, 2022

Gig Workers Estimated 10% of Canadian Workforce

Canadian governments have begun to turn their attention to gig workers, and to consider ways…

Overtime Pay – 3 Costly Traps

Nov 1, 2022

Overtime Pay – 3 Costly Traps

Failing to properly manage and pay overtime can lead to expensive litigation and possible fines…

Ontario Employment Information Checklist – 2 Key Processes

Nov 1, 2022

Ontario Employment Information Checklist – 2 Key Processes

Posting and providing employment information to employees may seem relatively easy to implement. But, requirements…

Menstrual Products – Free in Federal Workplaces

Oct 20, 2022

Menstrual Products – Free in Federal Workplaces

Menstrual products will be required to be provided at no cost to employees in federal…

Hiring Employees? Growing Ontario Team Means More HR Compliance

Oct 18, 2022

Hiring Employees? Growing Ontario Team Means More HR Compliance

Hiring employees creates compliance responsibilities for employers in Ontario. But less experienced business owners may…

Legislation for HR Professionals – How to Find Answers

Oct 13, 2022

Legislation for HR Professionals – How to Find Answers

Finding answers in employment legislation can be challenging. Compliance Works has published a quick guide…

UPDATED – Electronic Monitoring Policy Now Required in Ontario

Oct 11, 2022

UPDATED – Electronic Monitoring Policy Now Required in Ontario

There is quite a bit of confusion about the Disconnecting from Work and Electronic Monitoring…

Leaves of Absence in Canada: What Employers Need to Know

Oct 6, 2022

Leaves of Absence in Canada: What Employers Need to Know

This guide provides a primer on Canadian leaves of absence and the requirements that HR…

Privacy Legislation Changes – Impact on Canadian Employers

Jul 6, 2022

Privacy Legislation Changes – Impact on Canadian Employers

You might recall that the federal government introduced amendments to PIPEDA and created a new…

HR Compliance Mistake Costs Company More Than $1 Million

Apr 20, 2022

HR Compliance Mistake Costs Company More Than $1 Million

What happens when an employer fails to comply with their obligations under employment standards legislation?…

Ontario Bill 88 – More Changes for Employers

Mar 7, 2022

Ontario Bill 88 – More Changes for Employers

With the introduction of Bill 88, Working for Workers Act, 2022, the Ontario government made it…

Year in Review – 2021 Top HR Compliance Stories

Dec 8, 2021

Year in Review – 2021 Top HR Compliance Stories

2021 has been a busy year for those of us tracking changes to HR compliance…

Ontario Employment Law Changes – Bill 13, Bill 27 & Bill 43

Dec 2, 2021

Ontario Employment Law Changes – Bill 13, Bill 27 & Bill 43

It has been busy time at the Ontario legislature, with the government introducing a range…

3 Reasons HR Compliance is Critical for Non-Profits

Nov 4, 2021

3 Reasons HR Compliance is Critical for Non-Profits

Non-profits and charities have a lot on their plate – collectively they are taking on…

New Alberta Health and Safety Act

Oct 22, 2021

New Alberta Health and Safety Act

A new Alberta health and safety regime is coming into force on December 1, 2021.…

New Federal Employment Laws Enhance Employee Rights

Jul 8, 2021

New Federal Employment Laws Enhance Employee Rights

The government has enacted new federal employment laws and amended the Canada Labour Code to…

Personal Liability of Directors for Non-Compliance

Jun 9, 2021

Personal Liability of Directors for Non-Compliance

Personal liability of directors under employment legislation is a real risk. Directors and officers can…

5 Reasons HR Compliance is Hard

Mar 1, 2021

5 Reasons HR Compliance is Hard

HR compliance is hard. In our post about employment class actions, we wrote that "most…

Class Actions – The Risks of Non-Compliance with Employment Standards

Feb 24, 2021

Class Actions – The Risks of Non-Compliance with Employment Standards

Class actions are a risk for every employer if you are not in compliance with…

Are You Privacy Compliant? Penalties and Fines Drastically Increased and Expanded

Nov 25, 2020

Are You Privacy Compliant? Penalties and Fines Drastically Increased and Expanded

Changes are coming to Canada's privacy legislation. The federal government introduced new legislation in Bill…

New Federal Workplace Harassment and Violence Regime

Nov 17, 2020

New Federal Workplace Harassment and Violence Regime

If your business or organization is federally regulated (e.g., banks, airlines, shipping, interprovincial trucking), you…

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Our Blog

Let's talk HR compliance

Guide to Hiring in Canada

April 22, 2025

Statutory Holidays – 5 Key Considerations

Apr 14, 2025

Mandatory Employee Training in Canada: How to Stay Compliant

Apr 8, 2025

US Tariffs and Canadian Layoffs – 5 Tips

Mar 23, 2025

Guide to Mandatory Employee Communications

Mar 17, 2025

2025 HR Law Check-Up: 5 Requirements to Review

Jan 20, 2025

HR Policies Are Not Enough: Understanding the Legal Obligations of Canadian Employers

Jan 15, 2025

Ontario Job Postings – New Requirements Come into Force Jan. 1, 2026

Dec 6, 2024

2024 Year in Review – 5 Key HR Law Trends

Dec 2, 2024

Your Questions Answered: Key Employment Law Changes in Ontario

Nov 10, 2024

Canada Labour Code: 5 Key Changes for Federal Employers

Nov 7, 2024

New Laws for Remote & Hybrid Work

Oct 8, 2024

Beware – Why Record Keeping Matters

Oct 8, 2024

Legal Support for Compliance Works Subscribers

Sep 3, 2024

HR Law Fall Preview: Changes to Watch For

Sep 1, 2024

Illegal Job Interview Questions: 4 Tips for Employers

Aug 21, 2024

The Costs of HR Compliance: Reducing Your HR Budget

Aug 19, 2024

New Job Posting Rules: What Employers Should Know

Jun 11, 2024

AI – 5 Legal Issues to Navigate

May 27, 2024

2 Proposed Changes to Ontario Sick Leave Laws

May 2, 2024

Quebec Bill 42 Expands Workplace Harassment & Violence Laws

Apr 9, 2024

Insights From a Strategic HR Leader

Mar 19, 2024

Responding to Employee Complaints

Mar 18, 2024

U.S. Employers: Top 10 Canadian HR Compliance Issues

Mar 11, 2024

Losing Sleep Over Layoffs? 5 Tips to Guide You

Feb 8, 2024

Employee Psychological Well-Being: Employer Legal Duties

Jan 16, 2024

The Year Ahead – HR Trends in 2024

Jan 8, 2024

Ontario HR Compliance Check Up – 5 Key Requirements

Jan 7, 2024

2023 Year in Review – Top 5 HR Compliance Trends

Dec 6, 2023

Ontario Bill 149 – More Employment Law Changes for Employers

Nov 20, 2023

AI and HR – Risks and Legal Obligations

Nov 13, 2023

Hiring in Canada? 4 Things to Know

Oct 25, 2023

Health and Safety – 10 Key Requirements to Know

Oct 13, 2023

Workplace Culture Starts with HR Compliance

Oct 10, 2023

Do You Know Your Employees?

Sep 29, 2023

New HR Compliance Checklist Tool

Sep 25, 2023

Canada Labour Code Changes – What’s New & What’s Next

Sep 6, 2023

Unionizing – 3 Things to Know

Aug 3, 2023

Mass Termination – 3 Special Considerations

Jul 30, 2023

Let's talk
HR compliance