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December 21^st, 2017

Info Night: Bill 148 – Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act

 

You’re invited to learn how Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act can affect people with disabilities and their families. 

On November 27, 2017, Bill 148, The Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, became law in Ontario. Bill 148 affects employment standards for minimum wage, public holiday pay, how employees request scheduling changes and more.

People and Families who receive Support through MCSS funded Developmental Services or receive support through other sources of funding will be impacted by Bill 148. This would include Passport, Special Services at Home, Complex Special Needs funding, as well as other sources of direct funding and base funding.

Those who have services from any service provider, independent contractor or Direct Support Professional are affected by Bill 148.

Join us for an information night and resource sharing with families.

Understanding how this affects you and your obligations, is the first step to compliance. On January 22, 2018, Cheryl W. Pooran will provide a free in-person information session for people and families in our community, to help understand the changes in the law and what it means for you.

This Information Night will include:

• Information about Bill 148, how it affects Developmental Services, and timelines
• How to determine if these obligations apply to you and your services
• What your responsibilities are to your DSP or Independent Contractor
• Free resources to help be compliant with Bill 148

Space is limited. Please reserve your seat with a FREE ticket. You will be sent a reminder email, and if seats sell out, you may be contacted to confirm your attendance.

Monday January 22, 2018 from 6:30-9pm at Holiday Inn Kitchener-Waterloo (30 Fairway Rd. S., Kitchener)

Hosted by: Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region, Bridges to Belonging, Central West Specialized Developmental Services, Waterloo Region Family Network, KWHabilitation, Sunbeam Centre, Christian Horizons, Elmira District Community Living, Community Living Cambridge, Aldaview Services and Parents for Community Living.

 

Register to Save your seat here.

Share the information night with others by sending this PDF.

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More information from Pooran Law:

Bill 148 became law on November 27, 2017. The purpose of the legislation is to protect “vulnerable workers” in Ontario.  It casts a broad net, treating all employers the same, even if certain of those employers are more “vulnerable” than the workers they employ. In particular, families who rely on Passport, SSAH, Complex Special Needs funding, and other sources of direct funding may be impacted by Bill 148 as “employers” when they use their funding to engage workers. The changes of greatest significance to families include:

a)         Restrictions on characterizing workers as independent contractor when they are actually employees;

b)        New scheduling restrictions and pay requirements;

c)         Increased minimum wage, public holiday pay and vacation pay;

d)        New paid and unpaid leaves of absence obligations.

Application to Families

Families need to understand how to appropriately characterize their workers (as employees or independent contractors) in order to understand whether or not Bill 148 applies to their relationship.  Typically, this is a question of whether your worker is really self-employed, whether they are in control of where, when and how the work will be performed, whether they use their own tools (vehicle, tablet, supplies, home) to provide the services, whether the worker can work for others at the same time they provide services to you, and whether your worker is dependent on you, among other things. Generally speaking, the more hours per week a worker works for you, the greater the likelihood that they are your employee.

Engaging Workers

If you determine that your worker is, or should be treated as an employee, then there are a number of obligations that apply.  If this classification applies to you, it is important you understand your obligations and make arrangements to meet those obligations, and to protect yourself and your family from liability.

If you determine that your worker is actually a self-employed independent contractor, your obligations are more limited.  However, there are still a number of steps you should consider taking to protect yourself and your family, including screening your worker, signing an agreement with them, and ensuring appropriate insurance is in place.

Even if you choose to engage a worker through a third-party staffing agency, there are various steps that you should keep in mind. In particular, you want to make sure that you are working with an established, reputably agency that won’t disappear overnight.  Ideally that agency will treat its workers as employees, not independent contractors, and will have WSIB and other forms of appropriate insurance in respect of their workers.

 

FAQs

What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

The Holiday Inn Kitchener-Waterloo is along a major bus route and located near Fairview Park Mall Terminal. There is substantial free parking at Holiday Inn.

What can I bring into the event?

While light refreshments will be available (coffee and water), we would encourage Information Night attendees to bring in snacks or beverages they might need, as the information session does start during a typical dinner hour.

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region has organized this event, and is hosting in concert with the above mentioned agencies. We are happy to answer any questions you might have.

If you have any questions or concerns prior to the Information Night, please contact Heather at 519-741-0190 x223 or heatherd@eafwr.on.ca