As part of a big package of changes to employment standards, the Working for Workers Act says firms with 25 or more employees must have written policies on when and how staff can leave their phones alone so they can focus on their families, and it forbids clauses in employment contracts “that prevent people from exploring other work opportunities.” (The Logic)

Talking point: Promoting his bill, Progressive Conservative Labour Minister Monte McNaughton said the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the labour market and the government needs to rebalance the relationship between employers and employees. Toronto employment lawyer Christopher Achkar told The Logic that the promise of freer job movement without non-compete clauses could make Ontario more attractive to talented workers, but it could also make employers less likely to hire and stricter about internal controls. “I think this legislation actually makes it potentially a little bit harder for employers to feel some level of safety [in] having a more collaborative environment where information is more shared,” he said.