09/08/2026
Quick compliance check: do you know what the maximum Ontario ESA fine actually is right now?
If you said $50,000 — that's out of date. Since October 28, 2024, the maximum fine for an ESA violation has been $100,000 per offence. And it's not just the company on the hook: individuals, including managers and HR professionals, can be held personally liable.
It's been over a year, and I still talk to business owners who don't know this changed. That's the real risk here, not the fine itself, but the gap between what changed and what most employers still believe is true.
A few places worth a second look if it's been a while since you checked:
→ Termination clauses in your employment contracts (still one of the most litigated areas in Ontario)
→ Vacation pay and stat holiday calculations
→ Whether your job postings meet the newer pay transparency requirements
Compliance isn't just a legal checkbox — it's protection for you personally, not just your business.
Curious where your policies might have gaps? Happy to chat.
