I was fired for raising a safety concern — where do I go?

That is an OHSA reprisal complaint at the OLRB, and the deadline is short. It is separate from a wrongful dismissal claim, and you may have to choose between routes.

Do I need to be in a union?

No. ESA and OHSA reprisal complaints are available to non-unionized workers, and those make up a substantial part of the OLRB's caseload.

Can I claim wrongful dismissal damages here?

No. Common-law wrongful dismissal claims go to court. The OLRB deals with statutory reprisals and labour relations.

Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) — Union, ESA & OHSA Matters

Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB)

The OLRB decides labour relations matters in Ontario — union certification and bargaining disputes, unfair labour practices, and construction industry grievances. It also hears reprisal complaints under the Employment Standards Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act, which is how many non-unionized workers end up there.

What it does

Decides union certification and decertification applications
Hears unfair labour practice complaints
Decides ESA and OHSA reprisal complaints
Resolves construction industry jurisdictional disputes

Matters it hears

Certification and bargaining unit disputes
Unlawful strike and lockout applications
Employment standards reprisal complaints
Health and safety reprisal (work refusal) complaints
Successor employer and sale of business issues

Appeals & review

Appeals generally go to Divisional Court (Ontario).

OLRB decisions are protected by a strong privative clause; judicial review in the Divisional Court is available only on narrow grounds.

Appeal and review deadlines are short and strictly applied. Treat the decision date as the start of a clock.

Frequently Asked Questions

I was fired for raising a safety concern — where do I go?: That is an OHSA reprisal complaint at the OLRB, and the deadline is short. It is separate from a wrongful dismissal claim, and you may have to choose between routes.
Do I need to be in a union?: No. ESA and OHSA reprisal complaints are available to non-unionized workers, and those make up a substantial part of the OLRB's caseload.
Can I claim wrongful dismissal damages here?: No. Common-law wrongful dismissal claims go to court. The OLRB deals with statutory reprisals and labour relations.

Get matched with a lawyer

Tell us about your situation and we'll connect you with verified firms that handle it. It's free and there's no obligation.

General information about jurisdiction and process, not legal advice. LegalCounselNearMe is not a law firm and is not affiliated with Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB). Procedures, forms and fees change — the official site is authoritative.