Part-time. Temporary. Self-employed. This is the new norm for millions of Ontario workers, the so-called “precariously employed” struggling in the absence of regulations to protect them. As the province launches a review of its antiquated Employment Standards Act, the Star brings you their stories, and ways to fix it.

Ontario employers get slap on wrist for mistreating employees

Nine months of waiting for money she was legally owed. Nine months and dozens of desperate phone calls to the Ministry of Labour. Nine months of stress and anguish as the bills piled up. All to get the wages she was entitled to by law. Scarborough resident Sylvia Buchanan’s assessment of the system meant to protect her? “It was horrible.” Last in a four-part series.