The Code states that every person has a right to equal treatment with respect to employment without discrimination or harassment because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, record of offences, marital status, family status or disability.
The right to “equal treatment with respect to employment” covers every aspect of the workplace environment and employment relationship, including job applications, recruitment, training, transfers, promotions, apprenticeship terms, dismissal and layoffs. It also covers rate of pay, overtime, hours of work, holidays, benefits, shift work, discipline and performance evaluations.
Relevant policies and guides:
- Policy on removing the "Canadian experience" barrier
- Human rights at work 2008 - 3rd edition
- Guidelines on developing human rights policies and procedures
- Policy on employment-related medical information
- Policy on drug and alcohol testing
- Policy on requiring a drivers license as a condition of employment
- Human rights maturity model (Canadian Human Rights Commission)
The end of mandatory retirement (fact sheet)
As of December 12, 2006, the Ontario Human Rights Code protects all persons aged 18 and over against discrimination in employment on the basis of their age. This means that employers cannot make decisions about hiring, promotion, training opportunities, or termination on the basis of an employee’s age.
CMARD Booklet: Call for coalition of municipalities against racism and racial discrimination
2006 - The Canadian Commission for UNESCO is inviting municipalities from across Canada to join a Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination and be part of a larger international coalition being promoted by UNESCO. This booklet provides information that will be useful in understanding some of the important details of this Coalition.
Commission initiates complaint against Goldcorp's Drug Testing Policy
Toronto - The Ontario Human Rights Commission (the “Commission”) has initiated a complaint against Goldcorp Inc. (“Goldcorp”), alleging that sections of the company’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy violate the Ontario Human Rights Code (the “Code”).
TTC agrees to survey racial background of employees to monitor equity in hiring and promotion
April 2006 - The settlement sets out the following commitments:
Bill 211, Ending Mandatory Retirement Statute Law Amendment Act
Backgrounder - Commission settles employment case with Toronto District School Board
As part of its commitment to employment equity, the Toronto District School Board (the “Board”) agrees to undertake a number of initiatives that expand upon its efforts to date to promote barrier-free hiring and promotion, and equitable representation of designated groups at all levels of employment.
Chief commissioner supports government's move to end mandatory retirement
Toronto - Chief Commissioner Keith Norton today endorsed the government’s introduction of legislation as a positive move towards ending mandatory retirement for older Ontario workers. "I am very pleased that the government has taken this step to respect the rights of older workers by introducing legislation that will enable individuals to decide for themselves when they wish to retire from the workplace rather than having this decision made for them by their employers," stated Mr. Norton.
Racism and racial discrimination: Organizational responsibility
Racial harassment and poisoned environments (fact sheet)
2005 - All Ontarians have the right to be free from harassment in the workplace or in housing accommodation because of, among other things, race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, ethnic origin, citizenship and creed. While the Ontario Human Rights Code (the “Code”) doesn’t explicitly prohibit harassment in the areas of services, goods and facilities, contracts or membership in trade and vocational associations, the Commission will treat racial harassment in such situations as a form of discrimination and therefore a breach of the Code.
Court decision demonstrates more action needed to address racial discrimination
Toronto - As Black History month comes to a close, Chief Commissioner Keith Norton today remarked on a recent Ontario court decision that serves as an important reminder that racial discrimination is still a major concern in our society.