Payroll > Payroll Law Changes > Ontario Labour Law Changes - Bill 148 (2017)

Looking for something specific in the page and not quite sure where to find it? You can always press CTRL + F on your keyboard and type a keyword. Or you can do a search (in the top right corner).

« AgExpert Analyst Knowledge Base

Ontario Labour Law Changes – Bill 148

Bill 148, or The Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017, was passed on November 22nd, 2017, and makes several changes to work standards in Ontario.  It raises the current minimum wage, and provides employees with:

- equal pay for equal work for casual, part-time, temporary, and seasonal workers

- one week’s notice or pay in lieu of notice for employees of temporary help agencies if longer-term assignments end early

- fairer scheduling rules

- a minimum of three weeks’ vacation after five years with the same employer

- up to 10 individual days of leave and up to 15 weeks of leave, without the fear of losing their job, when a worker or their child has experienced or is threatened with domestic or sexual violence

- expanded personal emergency leave in all workplaces

- unpaid leave to take care of critically ill family members

In AgExpert, we concern ourselves with making sure that your vacation pay is set up properly to meet these minimum labour law requirements.  These changes take effect on January 1st, 2018.

First, you will need to go to Payroll > Setup > Vacation.

You will want to make sure that Weeks is selected at the top, and one rate selected at the bottom.

Now you will need to tell the system how much vacation is earned, and at what point in time.  To meet the minimum requirements of Bill 148, you will enter 3 weeks after 5 years.

Once this is completed, click on Apply Changes.

Now, on the left, go to Employees/ROE.

Click on an employee, and click on Edit.  Go to the Payroll Information tab.

Make sure to select whether you are going to retain vacation or pay out vacation with every paycheque.  Select the vacation pay expense account as required.

You will also want to make sure that the employee’s hire date is correct, as this is the date that starts the countdown to 5 years.

Once complete, click on Save.  Make sure you follow this process for all employees.

For more information about Bill 148, you can visit the bill summary page located at https://www.ontario.ca/page/plan-fair-workplaces-and-better-jobs-bill-148

Last updated on February 13, 2018 by FCC AgExpert