Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Employment Standards Branch
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
History
The Employment Standards Branch was the successor to the Labour Standards Branch, which was created in 1963 to establish wage rates and working conditions within Ontario. The name was changed to the Employment Standards Branch as of January 1, 1969.
Although the name of the branch remained constant for many years, the division in which the branch was located altered frequently. In 1972, the branch was transferred from the jurisdiction of the Manpower Services Division (which ceased to exist) to the newly created Employment Services Division. The Employment Services Division changed its name to the Labour Services Division in 1975 and, in the following year, was disbanded. Following this, the Employment Standards Branch belonged to no particular division and reported directly to the Deputy Minister. In 1978-79, the branch was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Program Analysis and Implementation Division. In 1983, this division became known as Labour Policy and Programs.
In 1991 the Employment Standards Branch was renamed the Employment Practices Branch, forming one of the two branches of the newly established Operations Division.
Places
Legal status
Functions, occupations and activities
The Employment Standards Branch set and enforced standards of wages and working conditions in Ontario including minimum wage, overtime pay, vacation pay, hours of work, public holidays, maternity leave and equal pay for equal work. It had responsibility for administering the Employment Standards Act, the Industrial Standards Act, the Employment Agencies Act and the Ontario Government Fair Wages schedules. The Branch also covered agricultural workers harvesting fruit, vegetables or tobacco crops.
This Branch issued permits on excessive hours of work, work undertaken in private residences and instances where disabled persons were paid less than minimum wages. It administered the Handicapped Employment Program. It also administered the Employment Adjustment Service which advised employers and employees on termination of employment legislation. In addition, it licensed employment agencies.
Address
Internal structures/genealogy
General context
Relationships area
Related entity
Identifier of related entity
Category of relationship
Type of relationship
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Description of relationship
Related entity
Identifier of related entity
Category of relationship
Type of relationship
Dates of relationship
Description of relationship
Related entity
Identifier of related entity
Category of relationship
Type of relationship
Dates of relationship
Description of relationship
Related entity
Identifier of related entity
Category of relationship
Type of relationship
Dates of relationship
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Access points area
Subject access points
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Epithet
Control area
Authority record identifier
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Rules and/or conventions used
RAD: Rules for Archival Description, 2nd edn (2008)
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation, revision and deletion
2026-11-16: migrated to AtoM
Language(s)
Script(s)
Sources
KWIC Index to Government Services 1981-1982; RG 7 inventory
Maintenance notes
Archivist(s):
John Dirks