“Casual” employment is a reality for thousands of Ontarians, particularly in healthcare, retail, education, hospitality, and gig work. These jobs offer flexibility, but many workers mistakenly believe that casual status means fewer legal protections. That’s simply not true.
Under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code, most minimum employment rights apply equally to casual, part-time, temporary, and full-time workers. Employers cannot avoid their legal obligations simply by calling a position “casual.”
