Ontario. Employment Standards Branch

• Employment Standards Branch

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.

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.

RAD: Rules for Archival Description, 2nd edn (2008)

2026-11-16: migrated to AtoM

KWIC Index to Government Services 1981-1982; RG 7 inventory

Archivist(s):
John Dirks