On April 14, the Government of Ontario announced a proposed amendment to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 that would prohibit large employers from charging employees for required uniforms. If passed, the change would make it illegal for employers to require workers to pay for uniforms or deduct those costs from their wages except in limited situations, ensuring no employees would have to pay out of pocket just to meet basic job requirements.
If passed, the legislation would require Ontario employers to:
- Review their policies and eliminate any uniform-related charges or deductions;
- Budget for employee essentials as a standard cost of operations; and
- Communicate clearly with staff about upcoming changes and their rights.