Hike minimum vacation entitlement: Sutcliffe

There should be an increase in the minimum mandatory vacation entitlement in the province, according to Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, the medical officer of health in this area.

Currently, under Ontario law, employees are entitled to two weeks of vacation time after each 12-month vacation entitlement year (the 12-month period over which employees earn vacation).

This was one of the recommendations she gave at a public consultation hosted by the Ontario Ministry of Labour July 23.

A series of public consultations is being held across the province to explore possible changes to the Labour Relations Act (LRA) and the Employment Standards Act (ESA) to best protect workers while supporting businesses in Ontario’s changing economy.

Sutcliffe said she supports measures to increase employee control and engagement, and for not allowing differential treatment in pay, benefits and working conditions for workers whether part-time, contract, temporary, or casual.

All workers, regardless of the size of the enterprise, should be allowed emergency leave or unexpected absences, she said. Also recommended was the inclusion an increase in the minimum mandatory vacation entitlement.

“I care very much about this review because workplaces are a critical determinant of individual, community and population health,” said Sutcliffe. “The SDHU works to promote and protect health. The relationships between work and health are vital and within our public health work, we see directly the health impacts of precarious employment.”

Sutcliffe strongly urged that any proposed changes be subject to a “healthy workplace impact assessment.” This would ensure that all proposed changes would be carefully assessed to determine if they would be expected to improve the health of the workplace.

“We have a unique opportunity to make our Ontario a place where the changing workplace landscape is transformed into an opportunity that benefits all Ontarians,” said Sutcliffe.

A complete listing of Sutcliffe’s recommendations and speaking notes can be found at www.sdhu.com.