Home
Resources
HR Policies
- How to Effectively Communicate Workplace Policy Changes
How to Effectively Communicate Workplace Policy Changes
- HR Policies
Peninsula Team, Peninsula Team
(Last updated )
Peninsula Team, Peninsula Team
(Last updated )
Workplace Policy Changes 101
As a result of Bill 148, Ontario’s labour laws continue to change. It’s a good idea to review your workplace policies to make sure that you are up to date with the province’s new and upcoming employment standards.
Here’s a Recap of the Labour Law Changes that Affect Your Workplace Policies
On November 22, 2017,
Bill 148
– otherwise known as the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017 – was passed. The Act provided updates to the
Employment Standards Act (ESA)
, the Labour Relations Act (LRA), and the
Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)
. We continue to see these changes unfold. To start, the Act:
Raised the
minimum wage.
Expanded
personal emergency leave.
Increased
vacation leave and pay.
And soon to follow, the Act will:
Mandate
equal pay for equal work
(Effective April 1, 2018); and
Increase efforts to
enforce laws
(ongoing).
Have you communicated these workplace policy changes to your employees?
5 Ways to Communicate Workplace Policy Changes to Your Employees
Being upfront and straightforward about change is key. Here are five ways you can be effective in communicating a new or changed workplace policy to your employees.
1. Be transparent
Hold a staff meeting to communicate policy updates.
Post new workplace policies in common areas – such as break rooms – where employees can easily see them.
Hand out hardcopies of new policies in the form of memos or updated employee handbooks.
Inform your employees of changes electronically via e-mail, intranet, or a password-protected section of your company website.
2. Provide training, when necessary
More complex policies or procedural changes may require more training so employees understand how changes applies to them.
Training may be scheduled on an on-going or as-needed basis.
3. Get feedback
Hold feedback sessions and incorporate employees’ opinions when possible.
Allow for anonymous or confidential feedback so all employees feel comfortable voicing their honest opinion.
4. Two-way communication is key
Ensure that your staff are not only voicing concerns, but that you’re also addressing them openly and honestly.
5. Have employees sign off on a new or changed workplace policy
Especially with labour law changes – and stricter enforcement promised from the Ministry of Labour – it is imperative that there is documentation showing that the workplace policy has been communicated.
Place a copy of the sign off in your employees’ personnel files.
When communicating, updating, or adding new workplace policies, think about how to adjust your employees with ease, while doing what’s best for your business. If you have questions on workplace policy best practices, it’s always a good idea to ask an
HR advisor
for support.
Related articles
- November 10th 2025Office Holiday Party Planning: HR Dos and Don’ts for EmployersHR PoliciesKiljon ShukullariHR Advisory Manager
- October 10th 2025Nova Scotia Labour Standards Code: A Brief Overview for Employers Labour StandardsOlivia CicchiniEmployment Relations Expert
- October 6th 2025Ontario Employment Standards Act: A Quick Guide for EmployersEmployment StandardsCharlie Herrera VacaflorEmployment Law & HR Content Senior Consultant
Back to resource hub
Try Peninsula Canada today
Find out what 6,500+ businesses across Canada have already discovered. Get round-the-clock HR and health & safety support with Peninsula.
Speak to an expert