.

Employers must satisfy several legal obligations under both statute and
common law during the recruitment, selection, and hiring process. The most
significant obligations arise from human rights legislation because the employer
must ensure that no discrimination occurs while it selects and hires an employee.
Today, a rule or qualification that has a negative effect on a protected group is discriminatory, and
thus illegal, unless an employer can demonstrate that it is a bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ)
or a bona fide occupational requirement (BFOR). To be considered a BFOR, a contested job requirement
must pass the three-part test set out by the Supreme Court of Canada in British

Today, a rule or qualification that has a negative effect on a protected group is discriminatory, and
thus illegal, unless an employer can demonstrate that it is a bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ)
or a bona fide occupational requirement (BFOR). To be considered a BFOR, a contested job requirement
must pass the three-part test set out by the Supreme Court of Canada in British

Key Features of Ontario’s Human Rights Code

1. The Code applies to both the private and the public sector and to the conduct of individuals. Unlike
the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, its application is not limited to the actions of government
2. Discrimination in employment is prohibited on 16 grounds:
race,
ancestry,
place of origin,
colour,
ethnic origin

Ethnic origin has more of a cultural component than ancestry. Protection is not limited to people who
have recently arrived in Canada; it can apply to third- or fourth-generation Canadians. An exemption
exists for special service organizations. Although “language” is not explicitly listed as one of the
prohibited grounds, it can be an element of a complaint based on the related grounds of ancestry,
ethnic origin, place of origin, or race.

citizenship,

creed,

This ground protects people from discrimination on the basis of their religion or faith, or lack thereof, as
recent case law has interpreted this ground to include atheism and agnosticism (se

sex,

sexual orientation,

gender identity,

gender expression,

This ground refers to how a person publicly represents their gender. This includes a person’s behaviour
and outward appearance, such as dress, hair, body
 age,

record of offences,

Record of offences means provincial offences or pardoned federal offences. This ground means that,
unless one of the exceptions applies, employers cannot discriminate against prospective or current
employees because they have been convicted of a provincial offence (typically a less serious offence) or
a criminal offence for which they have received a pardon. Conversely, it is legal to discriminate on the
basis of a criminal offence for which no pardon has been obtained.

marital status,

family status,

and disability.

The Code also prohibits sexual harassment as well as harassment based on other prohibited grounds of
discrimination in the workplace.

3. 3. To infringe the Code, it is not necessary to intend to discriminate. The effect of an employer’s
action or rule matters as much as the intent. The employer has a duty to accommodate the special
needs of protected individuals or groups unless doing so would create undue hardship for the
employer.
4. 4. No one can contract out of the Code. For example, the negotiated terms of a collective agreement
or individual employment contract do not override obligations under the Code.
5. 5. The Code provides for civil remedies, such as ordering an employer to compensate employees for
lost wages or mental suffering or ordering it to change its employment policies. The Code does not
provide for criminal penalties, such as imprisonment.
6. 6. The Code is quasi-constitutional legislation in that if there is a conflict between its provisions and
those of another statute, its requirements prevail unless the other statute specifically states that it
applies despite the Code. 7. The Code applies to every stage of the employment relationship, from
recruitment through to termination.

Additional Grounds of Discrimination

Discrimination Because of Association

In addition to the 16 listed prohibited grounds of discrimination, the Code protects an individual from
being discriminated against because of her relationship with people identified by a prohibited ground.
For example, an employee cannot be denied a position because she associates with a person of a certain
religious belief (s. 12).

Discrimination Through Reprisal

The Code also provides that people have the right to enforce their rights under the Code without
reprisal (s. 8). An employer who retaliates against someone for asserting his rights or for refusing to
discriminate against another person on the basis of a prohibited ground infringes the Code. For example,
if a recruiter is demoted for refusing to discriminate against an applicant on the basis of her sexual
orientation, that recruiter could file a human rights application under section 8 of the Code.
Discrimination Not Covered by the Code

To engage the protection of the Code, the discriminatory treatment must be based on one of the 16
prohibited grounds. Although the prohibited grounds of discrimination are numerous and broadly
defined, they are not exhaustive. Someone who is discriminated against on the basis of a ground not
covered in section 5, such as political conviction or social status, cannot file an application under the
Code. Similarly, discrimination on the basis of physical appearance does not infringe the Code unless it
touches on a prohibited ground. For example, a person who wears a nose ring as a fashion statement
does not engage the protection of the Code, but a person who wears the same nose ring for religious
reasons does.

Exemptions: Where Discrimination Is Allowed

The right to be free of discrimination in employment on the basis of the 16 grounds is not absolute; the
Code sets out specific exemptions where even intentional discrimination is permissible.

1. Special Service Organizations Under section 24(1)(a), the right to equal treatment in
employment is not infringed where a special service organization—a religious, philanthropic,
educational, fraternal, or social organization that primarily serves people identified by their race,
ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, creed, sex, age, marital status, or disability—gives
employment preference to members of that group.
2. 2. Bona Fide Occupational Qualifications Under section 24(1)(b), an employer may discriminate
on the basis of age, sex, record of offences, or marital status if these are genuine requirements
of the job. For example, a shelter for abused women may choose to hire only women as
counsellors. Similarly, a recreational club may hire only male attendants to work in the men’s
locker room.
3. 3. Nepotism Policies Under the nepotism policy exemption in section 24(1)(d), an employera
may choose to hire or not hire, or to promote or not promote, her spouse, child, or parent or the
spouse, child, or parent of an employee
4. 4. Medical or Personal Attendants The medical or personal attendant exemption in section 24(1)
(c) applies to all 16 prohibited grounds of discrimination. A person may refuse to employ
someone on the basis of any of the prohibited grounds where the primary duty of the job is
attending to the medical or personal needs of the person or to those of an ill child or an aged,
infirm, or ill spouse, same-sex partner, or relative of the person
5. 5. Special (Affirmative Action) Programs Like the medical or personal attendant exemption, the
special programs exemption in section 14 of the Code applies to all 16 prohibited grounds.
Under this exception, an employer may implement a special program to relieve or promote the
status of disadvantaged groups or persons to help them achieve equal opportunity. This
exemption allows an employer to prefer or promote people who typically suffer from
employment discrimination on the basis of one or more of the prohibited grounds.

Recruitment, Selection, and Hiring

Essential Requirements of the Job An employer should ensure that a job description is current and
accurately reflects the employer’s needs and expectations. Particular duties or structures that made
sense when the job was last filled may have changed in the interim. The employer should review the job
carefully to determine which requirements are essential for the job. Under section 17 of the Code, only
essential job duties or requirements can be considered in deciding whether someone is physically
capable of performing the job.

Use of Employment Agencies

Sometimes employers use employment agencies to hire people temporarily. These workers are often
referred to as “temps.” In some situations, the agency remains the employer. The Code prohibits
employment agencies from accepting or acting on requests to hire people on the basis of preferences
related to prohibited grounds of discrimination. It also forbids employers from making hiring requests
that contravene the legislation. For example, an employer cannot legally ask an employment agency to
send only “young blondes” to fill a position. An employment agency that accepted this illegal directive
would also be in contravention of the Code.

Advertising a Job

Many jobs are filled through advertisements. It is the intention of the Code that an employer consider
many qualified candidates in the early part of the recruitment process so that suitable candidates are
not eliminated inadvertently. This intention affects both where and how a position is advertised, as well
as the contents of the advertisement.

Job Applications

Section 23(2) of the Code provides as follows: The right under section 5 to equal treatment with respect
to employment is infringed where a form of application for employment is used or a written or oral
inquiry is made of an applicant that directly or indirectly classifies or indicates qualifications by a
prohibited ground of discrimination. The Code prohibits questions and requests for information on the
application form that directly or indirectly classify candidates by prohibited grounds. The wording of
section 23(2) is similar to that of section 23(1) related to job advertisements. Once again, the intent is to
avoid discouraging potential applicants from applying by creating the impression that they would not be
acceptable. Appropriate questions are limited to establishing the applicant’s name, address, education,
and previous employment history. The purpose of the job application form is to gather information on
job qualifications and skills and to avoid eliciting information that directly or indirectly excludes
individuals on non-job-related grounds.

Job Interviews Section

23(3) of the Code provides as follows: Nothing in subsection (2) precludes the asking of questions at a
personal employment interview concerning a prohibited ground of discrimination where discrimination
on such ground is permitted under this Act. At the job interview stage, the Code allows an employer
considerably more latitude in questioning an applicant than at the previous stages in the hiring process.
In a faceto-face meeting, a candidate has a better chance of countering any assumptions or stereotyping
that could arise as a result of her response to an employer’s inquiries. The employer may expand the
scope of job-related questions to include questions that touch on prohibited grounds if they relate to a
BFOR or if an exemption to the Code applies under sections 14, 16, or 24.
There are several ways to limit the potential for human rights problems arising from the interview. These
include the following:

1. Accommodate disabilities.

If a job applicant is unable to attend an interview because of a disability, an employer must

2. Have a standard set of questions. Standardizing an interview keeps it on track and avoids the
perception that candidates were treated differently on the basis of a prohibited ground. For example, do
not question only female candidates about their ability to travel or relocate.

3. Use interview teams. Teams allow interviewers to compare impressions and can reduce the impact of
individual biases. If a candidate subsequently alleges discrimination, there are several people to recall
what took place during the interview. There should be at least one interviewer knowledgeable about the
position being offered.

4. Beware of prohibited grounds. An interviewer should not ask questions that relate to a prohibited
ground unless the elicited information can legally form the basis of a hiring decision. If a response cannot
be used in making a hiring decision, the employer takes a risk in asking it. The candidate may perceive
that the information played a part in the decision not to hire and it may be difficult to prove otherwise.

Overqualification

Special Programs and Medical or Personal Attendants Under the exemption in section 14 of the Code, an
employer with a bona fide special (affirmative action) program may question an applicant concerning his
membership in the group that the program is aimed at.

Conditional Offers of Employment The Ontario Human Rights Commission recommends that certain
questions be left until after a conditional offer of employment is made. The Commission believes that
this “avoid[s] a misapprehension of discrimination” because the employer obtains the information only
after it has offered a job to a candidate. The following are examples of information that the Commission
suggests should be requested only after an employer makes a conditional offer: • a copy of a driver’s
licence, which contains information such as date of birth; • a work authorization from immigration
authorities, which contains information regarding date of arrival in Canada; • a social insurance card,
which may contain information regarding immigration status; • a transcript or copy of professional
credentials, which often indicate place of origin; and • requests for medical examinations or health
information necessary for pension, disability, life insurance, and benefit plans, all of which may indicate
physical disabilities (Ontario Human Rights Commission, 2008, p. 109).

Pre-employment Medical or Fitness Examinations The Commission takes the position that medical tests
to determine a candidate’s ability to perform the essential duties of a job should take place only after a
conditional offer of employment is made. The examination must be directly relevant to the job as well as
objectively necessary and appropriate. For example, a back X-ray may be appropriate for a job that
involves heavy lifting but not for a managerial job. The results cannot be used to disqualify a candidate
unless they directly undermine his ability to perform the essential duties of the job. Even then, the
employer is obliged to accommodate the employee unless this would create undue hardship
Pre-employment Drug and Alcohol Testing Human rights legislation in Canada considers alcoholism and
drug dependency, as well as perceived dependency, to be forms of disability and therefore prohibited
grounds of discrimination. As a result, workplace alcohol and drug testing has been severely restricted in
this country. However, such testing continues to be an important issue, especially in workplaces that are
safety sensitive or that are affiliated with companies operating in the United States where such testing is
far more common.

Other Forms of Pre-employment Testing In the Commission’s view, tests that seek to assess personal
interests, personality traits, and attitudes (psychometric tests) may raise human rights issues if they tend
to screen out individuals on the basis of a prohibited ground (Ontario Human Rights Commission, 2008,
p. 111). Tests that measure job-related skills, such as typing, mechanical, electrical, and computer skills,
are acceptable.