I currently have a bid open for cleaning services and I am receiving several questions from vendors about Bill 7. Can you advise what specific information I am expected to share with vendors?
Signed,
Bill 7 Blues
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Dear Bill 7 Blues,
You are asking a very important question, and you are certainly not alone in seeking this clarity. When building service contracts change hands, Bill 7 under Ontario’s Employment Standards Act (ESA) sets out specific obligations to protect employees who may be affected by the transition. The legislation ensures that employees who may not be retained are treated fairly, while promoting transparency by allowing incoming bidders to request specific information about current employees.
It’s important to note that all parties who receive this information are legally required to use this information only for the purposes of complying with the building services providers provisions of the ESA.
Here is a breakdown of the information you may be required to provide upon request:
- Each employee’s job classification or description
- Actual wage rate(s)
- Description and cost of benefits, including benefit periods
- Weekly and daily hours worked (or average hours for variable schedules over 13 weeks)
- Each employee’s hire date
- Previous service time counted under ESA continuity rules
- Number of weeks worked at the site in the past 26 weeks (excluding approved leaves or service interruptions)
- Status statements about whether the employee:
- Did not work primarily at the site in the past 13 weeks, or
- Was not actively working just before the request and had not primarily worked there in the most recent 13 weeks of active employment
Once a new supplier is awarded the contract, they may also request additional information, such as the name, address, and phone number of each employee.
More information can be found on the Government of Ontario’s website here: https://www.ontario.ca/document/your-guide-employment-standards-act-0/building-services-providers
Sincerely,
Erb