How do I file a complaint against my employer?
Filing a Claim Under Ontario’s Employment Standards Act (ESA)
If you believe your employer has not followed Ontario’s Employment Standards Act (ESA), you may be able to file a claim with the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
A claim may be filed for issues such as unpaid wages, overtime pay, vacation pay, termination pay, or other ESA entitlements. Before filing a claim, employees are generally encouraged to contact their employer to try to resolve the issue directly, unless an exception applies.
File a claim Online: Use the Employment Standards Claim Form on the Ontario website.
By Phone: Call the Ministry of Labour’s Health and Safety Contact Centre at 1-877-202-0008 (Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).
Discrimination: For workplace harassment or discrimination based on race, sex, or age, contact the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario at 416-326-1312.
SOURCE: Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Filing a claim, Your guide to the Employment Standards Act (Government of Ontario, 2024) <https://www.ontario.ca/document/your-guide-employment-standards-act-0/filing-claim>IMPORTANT: These claims are filed with the government of Ontario, the OFL does not monitor or receive any of these claims.
Filing a workplace health and safety complaint
If you believe your employer has not followed Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act, you may be able to file a complaint with the Ministry of Labour’s Health and Safety Contact Centre at 1-877-202-0008.
NOTE: Complaints can be made anonymously; do not provide personal information if anonymity is desired.
SOURCE: Government of Ontario. Filing a workplace health and safety complaint: When to file a complaint with the ministry (Ontario.ca, updated 12 May 2025) <https://www.ontario.ca/page/filing-workplace-health-and-safety-complaint#complaint-when-to-file>IMPORTANT: These claims are filed with the government of Ontario, the OFL does not monitor or receive any of these claims.
Filing a WSIB claim
If you are injured or made ill on the job, you must:
Tell your employer about your injury or occupational disease.
o The WSIB Form 7 (Employer’s Report of Injury/Disease) is a mandatory document used in Ontario to report work-related injuries or illnesses that require medical attention, cause absence from work, or result in modified duties. Employers must submit this report online within three business days of learning about the incident.
Get medical attention right away (for example, first aid, hospital emergency, family doctor).
o Tell the professional treating you to send a Health Professional’s Report (Form 8) to the WSIB.
Report the injury or illness to your union or your health and safety representative, if you have one.
o Apply for WSIB benefits by completing the Worker’s Report of Injury/Disease (Form 6).
Filing a WSIB exposure claim
You should fill out the Worker’s Exposure Incident Form (form 3958A) if you are exposed to: a leak, spill, rupture, unanticipated emission, explosion or a release of a dangerous chemical or physical substance or contact with an infectious substance or biological agent in the course of your work. Submitting the form will help provide evidence if you experience an illness or disease in the future from the exposure.
You can forward the form directly to the WSIB or provide the form to the employer if they are also reporting the exposure.