What is the legal effect of a SNOW DAY?
As a child, the practical effect of a wicked snowstorm was the cancelation of school- a “snow day.” A free pass to do whatever one wanted. Un cadeau.
But, is an Ontario employer required to pay its employees for the day, or at least comply with the “three-hour rule” if it is unable to provide work for the employee because of storms or similar causes beyond the employer’s control that results in the stopping of work?
On November 22, 2017, the Ontario Government, then headed by Liberal premier Kathleen Wynne, passed Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017, S.O. 2017 C.22. For my summary of the changes to Ontario employment law brought into effect by Bill 148 see my post Bill 148 and Changes to the Employment Standards Act, 2000.
Nearly one year later to the day, November 21, 2018, the Ontario Government, now under a Conservative government, passed Bill 47, the Making Ontario Open for Business Act, 2018, S.O. 2018, C.14. The Bill received Royal Assent the same day. Unless otherwise stated, the changes to the ESA are effective as of January 1, 2019.
A major effect of Bill 47 was to undo much, but not all of what had been introduced by Bill 148.
So what changes as of January 1, 2019?
