March 2012 - A story this week in the Toronto Star told of a candidate for a job with a police service who was asked, at an interview, to provide the password for his Facebook page. The story provoked a discussion on the blog of law professor David Doorey; is asking for such information contrary to Ontario’s Human Rights Code?
From: Human Rights at Work 2008 - Third Edition
This resource list is not exhaustive – please let us know if there are other resources that we can add. This list was compiled by Commission staff and identifies groups and publications that may deal with human rights issues. The Commission does not endorse, promote or vouch for any of the resources. Please consult with the resource directly for more information.
As of December 12, 2006, the Ontario Human Rights Code protects all persons aged 18 and over against discrimination in employment on the basis of their age. This means that employers cannot make decisions about hiring, promotion, training opportunities, or termination on the basis of an employee’s age.
From: Human Rights at Work 2008 - Third Edition
This section describes specific parts of each of the grounds of the Code, and highlights points that are distinctive or particular to each of the grounds.
Toronto – The OHRC today launched its updated Policy on drug and alcohol testing. This Policy offers guidance to Ontario employers and employees about drug and alcohol testing, and about the potential human rights concerns arising from testing.
March 8, 2016 - Some Ontario employers require female employees to dress in a sexualized or gender-specific way at work, such as expecting women to wear high heels, short skirts, tight clothing or low-cut tops. These kinds of dress codes reinforce stereotypical and sexist notions about how women should look and may violate Ontario’s Human Rights Code.
From: Human Rights at Work 2008 - Third Edition
This section outlines key considerations for application forms and parts of application forms that raise concerns about Code violations. Employers can use this information to make sure that the application forms they use are non-discriminatory and relate only to qualifications and requirements relevant to the job and the hiring decision. When application forms include inappropriate questions relating to Code grounds, an inference can be made that such questions may have influenced a decision not to hire.
The Code says every person has the right to be free from unwelcome advances or solicitation in employment. “Employment” includes applying and interviewing for a job, volunteer work, internships, etc. It also includes activities or events that happen outside of normal business hours or off business premises, but are linked to the workplace and employment.
From: Discussion paper: Discrimination and age - Human rights issues facing older persons in Ontario
Age is a barrier for individuals when trying to get a job. This problem is so prevalent that the Supreme Court of Canada has taken judicial notice of it:
