What exactly is the Human Rights Code?
The Ontario Human Rights Code (the “Code”) is provincial law which protects people in Ontario against discrimination and harassment in a variety of areas, including employment. There are currently fifteen (15) prohibited grounds of discrimination in employment under the Code: race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed (religion), sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, handicap, age (18 and over),1 marital status, family status and record of offences. I deal primarily with issues of discrimination in the workplace.
The Ontario Human Rights Tribunal is responsible for dealing with applications brought to it by individuals, groups of individuals, organizations or the commission with respect to alleged infringement of the Ontario Human Rights Code. This has been in place since following Bill 107 being proclaimed in force on June 30, 2008.
Employees have one year from the date of the alleged discrimination from which the application relates to apply to the Tribunal. Employers be careful – the old limitation was 6 months.
Haber & Associates does workplace and HR training. If you require any assistance responding to a complaint, or if you would like to be advised of any Human Rights issue give us a call.
