• Employment
• My Rights at Work
• Basic Working Conditions

Your Rights Under the Employment Standards Act

This information sheet summarizes your rights as a foreign national employed in Ontario under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA).

The ESA is a law that sets minimum standards in most Ontario workplaces. Special rules and exemptions apply to certain employees.

Topics included in this sheet are:

• Regular payment of wages and wage statements
• Limits on hours of work and eating periods
• Overtime pay
• Minimum wage
• Vacation with pay
• Public holidays and public holiday pay
• Leaves of absence
• Termination notice

It is important to remember that you cannot be punished for asking about your ESA rights.