Human Resources

When it comes to hiring and managing employees, it’s crucial for businesses to be aware of their legal obligations and have the necessary resources in place. This article provides a comprehensive guide to various aspects of human resources, including hiring employees, engaging independent contractors, workplace regulations, and useful tools for managing Staff.

• Legal obligations according to the Ontario Employment Standards Act
• Determine your hiring needs and create a detailed job description.
• Post the job to attract suitable candidates.
• Shortlist and interview applicants.
• Select the successful candidate and provide training and orientation.
• Consider seeking assistance from employment agencies to avoid costly hiring mistakes.
• It’s a good idea to have an employee job description and an employment contract along with an Employee Handbook.

Employees generally have an exclusive, and sometimes long-term, relationship with the employer. If it’s long-term stability that your organization requires, choosing to hire a full-time or part-time employee typically gives you the consistency, dependability and availability that you desire.

• Employees can be categorized as either: Indefinite (full-time or part-time)—established start date with no set end date (employment continues until either party chooses to end the relationship) or fixed-term (full-time or part-time)—established start and end dates
• Employees have specific entitlements under employment standards legislation that must be met by the employer
  • minimum wage
  • overtime
  • Vacation
  • public holidays
  • hours of work

• Employers have mandatory, statutory obligations with respect to salary deductions and remittances (e.g. CPP and EI payments).
• Register for EI Benefits for Self Employed Individuals
• Employers are responsible for any notice and severance requirements as prescribed by employment standards legislation, at a minimum.

An independent contractor (or consultant) is typically someone who can provide you with short-term, niche expertise to support your business needs. Whatever your requirements, there is expertise available, locally or internationally. Check out the CRA Guide on hiring independent contractors.

• Independent contractors are not employees and do not have employee benefits or covered by the employment standards legislation.
• Independent contractors assume the risk of having the project or assignment cancelled midstream and have control over when, how and where work is completed.
• Independent contractors often work with other companies at the same time and generally use their own equipment
• Independent contractors submit invoices to the company to receive payment for the work completed.
• You are not responsible for paying the independent contractor’s taxes or any other payments required by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

You are not obligated to pay for any notice or severance and you may terminate the agreement subject to the terms in the contract.

• Do you need an employee or a subcontractor?
• Workplace Safety & Prevention Services: Access health and safety experts and informative webinars tailored to small businesses.
• Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB): Mandatory coverage for workers in case of injuries or illness.
• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA): Ensures inclusive and accessible hiring practices, including employee training on accessibility standards. Free AODA Training resources
• Employment Standards Act (ESA): Familiarize yourself with employment standards, including minimum wage, vacation entitlement, break schedules, and overtime.
• Hiring and Wage incentives for Ontario
• Hiring Employees – Payroll, wages and other resources for recruiting, training and managing employees.
• WHIMS and Occupational Health and Safety. Employees may need training on the above as well.
• Payroll Companies – handle payrolling your employees, deducting and remitting source deductions and tax forms. g. Ceridian, ADP, Payworks etc.
• Departing employees – employer obligations when an employee leaves, issuing records of employment and giving exit interviews.
• Managing and training staff – Employee and performance management, training, teleworking and managing employees during difficult times.
• Ontario Ministry of Labour or call +1(800)531-5551 for employee/employer regulations.
• Set up payroll account with the CRA. A payroll deduction account is where you – the employer – deposit all the E.I., CPP and income tax deductions you collect from payroll

Business Advisory Centre Durham (BACD): Offers free advisory meetings for business owners. Schedule yours by emailing bacd@durham.ca or calling (905) 668-4949