Tuesday, September 16, 2025

New Protection for Workers

What the Ontario government’s Working for Workers Six Act means for you

4 Key Highlights You Need to Know About

1. More Leave Options – The act introduces two new job-protected unpaid leaves:

Placement of a child leave: If you adopt or have a child placed in your care through surrogacy, you’ll be entitled to up to 16 weeks of unpaid leave, after 13 weeks of employment.
Long term illness leave: If you’re facing a serious medical condition and can’t work, you may qualify for up to 27 weeks of unpaid leave, backed by a medical note. This came into effect on June 19, 2025.

2. Better-Fitting PPE – The law now requires that personal protective equipment (PPE)—like gloves, gowns, and masks—must be the right size and fit for different body types. This means employers have to consider things like gender, body shape, and comfort when providing PPE. That’s a big win for those who wear PPE daily in physical caregiving roles.

3. Worker Safety and Accountability – A new minimum fine has been put in place. A corporation could face at least $500,000 in fines if a worker is seriously hurt or killed in a second or subsequent safety violation within two years. It’s all about holding employers more accountable and making workplaces safer for everyone.

4. Stronger Oversight and Training – Ontario’s Chief Prevention Officer—the person in charge of provincial health and safety—now has more power to review training programs (even those from out of province), track injury trends, and promote better safety practices across all industries, including healthcare.

What the Changes Mean for You

CLAC is always keeping a close eye on provincial legislation to make sure your rights are protected. While many of these changes are still unfolding, they point in a positive direction—recognizing the essential work that you do and strengthening your right to a safe, fair workplace.

If you have questions or want to learn more about how these changes may apply to you, reach out to your CLAC steward or representative—we’re here for you.

New Protection for Workers

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