What Are Full-Time Hours in Ontario?

What are full-time hours in Ontario?

The Employment Standards Act, 2000 does not define full-time employment with a fixed number of hours. In practice, most Ontario employers treat 37.5 to 40 hours per week as full-time. What the ESA does set is a maximum of 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week, with overtime applying after 44 hours in a workweek.

How many hours can an employer require you to work in Ontario?

Under the ESA, an employer can require up to 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week without a special agreement. Exceeding these limits requires a written excess hours agreement signed by the employee. Even with such an agreement, no employer can require more than 60 hours per week.

When does overtime start in Ontario?

Overtime begins after 44 hours worked in a single workweek at 1.5 times the regular hourly rate. Ontario calculates overtime on a weekly basis, not daily. Working a 10-hour day does not automatically trigger overtime unless the week's total exceeds 44 hours.

How many hours off between shifts are you entitled to in Ontario?

Employees are entitled to at least 11 consecutive hours off work each day and at least 8 hours off between the end of one shift and the beginning of the next. Employees must also receive at least 24 consecutive hours off per workweek, or 48 consecutive hours off every two weeks.

Are part-time and casual employees entitled to the same hours of work protections?

Yes. The ESA rules on maximum hours, rest periods, meal breaks, and overtime apply equally to full-time, part-time, and casual employees. Your employer cannot require longer hours or shorter rest periods simply because you are not full-time.

Can my employer make me work more than 48 hours a week?

Only with a valid written excess hours agreement that you sign voluntarily. You cannot be pressured or penalized for declining to sign such an agreement. Even with a written agreement, you cannot be required to work more than 60 hours in any week.