Quick answer: Ontario’s normal maximum is eight hours a day, or the employee’s established regular workday if longer, and 48 hours a week. An employee and employer can make written agreements for certain excess hours, and some arrangements require government approval.
Daily and weekly limits
| Rule | General ESA standard |
|---|---|
| Daily maximum | 8 hours or established regular workday |
| Weekly maximum | 48 hours |
| Eating period | 30 minutes after no more than 5 hours |
| Daily rest | 11 consecutive hours in most cases |
| Between shifts | 8 hours in many cases |
| Weekly/biweekly rest | 24 consecutive hours weekly or 48 biweekly |
Written agreements for excess hours
A worker may agree in writing to work beyond the daily or weekly limit. The employer must provide required information about rights, and the agreement does not automatically remove overtime-pay obligations.
Rest between shifts
Employees generally receive at least eight hours free from work between shifts when the combined shift time exceeds 13 hours, unless the employee and employer agree otherwise in writing.
Eating breaks
An employee must not work more than five consecutive hours without a 30-minute eating period. The break can be split into two periods totaling 30 minutes if both parties agree.
Hours versus overtime
Permission to work more hours is different from overtime pay. Most employees earn overtime after 44 hours in a work week, although exemptions and special rules exist.
Protect your records
Track start times, finish times, breaks and after-hours tasks. Compare your log with each wage statement and raise differences promptly.
Check the official Ontario hours-of-work guide, then read our guides to break laws and overtime pay.
Some industries have exemptions or special rules. This is general information only.
Free tool: Use our Ontario overtime pay chart and calculator formula to estimate regular and overtime earnings for common hourly wages.
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