Big changes are coming to Ontario’s employment rules, and they impact your people processes. Whether you’re onboarding new hires, managing leaves, or maintaining your facilities, new legal requirements under the Working for Workers legislation mean it’s time to update your compliance playbook.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. New Leave of Absence: 27 Weeks for Serious Medical Conditions

Effective: June 19, 2025

Ontario has introduced a new unpaid leave under the Employment Standards Act (ESA). Employees with at least 13 weeks of service can take up to 27 weeks off work if they’re unable to perform their job due to a serious medical condition.

What it means for dealers:

• You may request a medical certificate, but you must store it securely and confidentially.

• Records must be kept on file for 3 years after the leave ends.

• Managers and payroll staff need clear processes for tracking, approving, and documenting this leave.

2. New Hiring Requirements for Employers with 25+ Employees

Effective: July 1, 2025

When hiring, you’ll now be required to give new employees a written statement outlining:

• Employer’s legal and operating name

• Address, phone number, and contact person

• Work location

• Starting wage (hourly or commission)

• Pay period and payday

• Expected hours of work

What it means for dealers:
This formalizes what many already include in offer letters, but if your process is casual or inconsistent, now’s the time to fix it.

👉 If you’re still relying on verbal offers or outdated forms, digitize your onboarding process to avoid risk.

3. Mandatory Washroom Cleaning Logs

Effective: July 1, 2025 (records must be posted by Jan 1, 2026)

All Ontario employers must ensure employee washrooms are:

• Clean and sanitary

• Have a visible cleaning record showing the two most recent cleanings

• Records must be posted in the washroom or accessible electronically

What it means for dealers:
You’ll need a cleaning log and a process for keeping it updated. Whether you outsource cleaning or handle it in-house, someone must own this.

What to Do Now

• Update your employee handbook and leave policies

• Standardize onboarding documentation and new hire workflows

• Create a washroom cleaning log and posting process

• Train managers and admins so they’re not caught off guard

How DriveHRIS Helps

DriveHRIS makes it easy to manage leaves, digitize hiring, and maintain compliance, all in one place.
Need a second look at your current setup?

📩 Book a quick call with our team or reply to this newsletter. No pressure, just practical help.

TL;DR

Ontario’s employment laws are changing, with new requirements for medical leave, hiring paperwork, and washroom records. Dealers need to update their processes before these rules take effect in June and July 2025, with full compliance required by January 2026. DriveHRIS can help simplify your compliance workflow and keep your people practices sharp.