The Canada Labour Code is a federal statute that regulates employment standards for unionized and non-unionized employees who work in a federally regulated industry such as broadcasting, banking, airlines, inter-provincial trucking companies, telecommunications companies, and the postal service, among others.

The Canada Labour Code allows employees who have worked for at least 12 consecutive months to make an unjust dismissal complaint, which is usually faster and less expensive than proceeding through the court process. The Canada Labour Code also sets out the minimum wages that must be paid to dismiss a federally regulated employee.

In Ontario, the Ministry of Labour enforces the Ontario Employment Standards Act , 2000. You are entitled to file your grievances against your employer with the Ministry of Labour complaints department about any suspected breach of the Act, including, but not limited to:

• failure to pay termination and severance pay
• reinstatement after a leave of absence
• overtime pay
• vacation pay
• hours of work and eating periods
• payment of wages
• reprisals
• public holidays

Depending on the type of claim being made, there is a limit on how much money can be recovered through the Ministry of Labour. For example, there is a cap on termination and/or severance pay, but there is no maximum award for violations of the parental or maternity leave provisions of the legislation. Determining whether to bring a certain complaint or legal claim requires assistance. To better understand your entitlements and explore the viability of your Ministry of Labour claim, we encourage employees to seek legal advice.