Keep your business fully compliant with Ontario’s Employment Standards Act (ESA) with this detailed and legally aligned Protected Leaves Policy, updated for 2025 — including all changes from the Working for Workers Five & Six Acts.

This professionally written HR policy outlines your legal obligations and employee entitlements for all 18 types of protected leaves, including:

• Pregnancy & Parental Leave

• Sick Leave & Long-Term Illness Leave (2025)

• Family Medical, Caregiver, and Critical Illness Leave

• Domestic or Sexual Violence Leave

• Jury Duty, Reservist Leave, Voting Time Off & more

Each section includes:

• Eligibility requirements

• Duration and notice periods

• Employer responsibilities under ESA

• Employee documentation obligations

• Direct links to legislation

• Customization notes for small businesses

Use this policy as-is, or edit it easily to reflect your organization’s structure. Ideal for small business owners, HR professionals, consultants, and staffing agencies in Ontario.

Bonus:
Includes a free printable Protected Leaves Reference Summary Chart for quick access to all ESA leave entitlements — great for printing, onboarding, and day-to-day HR support.

Format:

• Fully editable Microsoft Word (.docx) + PDF

• Includes legal disclaimers and implementation guidance

• Ready to upload to your internal HR portal or employee handbook

Who It's For:
Small to mid-sized Ontario businesses, HR managers, compliance teams, staffing firms, and consultants who need a rock-solid, compliant leave policy without the legal guesswork.

Legislation Coverage:
- Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA)
- Human Rights Code
- Working for Workers Five Act, 2024
- Working for Workers Six Act, 2025 (incl. Long-Term Illness Leave)

Download your full ESA-compliant Protected Leaves Policy now — and protect your business with confidence.