Ontario Is Making It Mandatory For Bosses To Tell Workers Exactly How They're Being Tracked

Have you ever wondered if your employer is keeping tabs on your online activity, phone calls, or even whereabouts? Well, Ontario is about to answer that question for you.

On Thursday, April 7, the Ontario government announced that it just passed the Working for Workers Act 2, which will require employers to be upfront about how they're tracking and monitoring employees electronically.

"With more people in Ontario than ever before working from home, families deserve to know if, how, and why their employers are monitoring their devices so they can protect their privacy," Minister of Labour Monte McNaughton said.

The new legislation makes it mandatory for employers with 25 or more workers to have a written electronic monitoring policy in place for staff. The policy would need to formally acknowledge any tracking of employees, and include a description of how it's being done and why.

This means your boss could have to share with you if they've been creeping up on your computer, cell phone, GPS system, or any other electronic device that is used for work.

“Today, businesses have more ways than ever before to monitor where their workers are and what they are doing. Whether you are a delivery person being followed by GPS, a construction worker using a company phone, or an office worker logging in from home, you deserve to know if and how you are being tracked,” McNaughton said in a February press release.

The new legislation will also establish general minimum wage rates for workers who deliver food or give rides through digital platforms like Uber, Instacart and Door Dash.

According to the provincial government, this would guarantee that these workers are getting paid at least minimum wage, and would also guarantee their right to keep their tips, and their right to access to how their pay is calculated. It will also give them the right to resolve work-related conflicts in Ontario and protection if they look to assert their own rights.

"This bill will now go forward to the Lieutenant Governor for Royal Assent in the coming days. Once received, our historic legislation will be a significant win for all workers," McNaughton said.

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.