Core HR policies every Canadian employer needs in their policy manual 

For Canadian employers, maintaining a compliant and effective policy manual is no longer a once-a-year task. Across the country, HR and health and safety legislation continues to evolve at both the federal and provincial levels, placing growing pressure on HR professionals and business leaders to stay ahead of their obligations. In Ontario alone, employers must now have written policies on disconnecting from work and electronic monitoring if they employ 25 or more workers. With the Robert Half 2025 Job Market Overview reporting that 95 percent of HR managers in Canada faced challenges finding skilled professionals last year, a well-structured policy manual has become as much a talent strategy tool as it is a compliance requirement. 

This white paper from Citation Canada gives Canadian HR professionals and business owners a practical, plain-language guide to the core policies every policy manual should contain. Drawing on the requirements of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Employment Standards Act, 2000, and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), the guide walks readers through what is legally required, what is strongly recommended, and what is trending in Canadian workplaces right now. It also breaks down the 2025 WHMIS amendments to the Hazardous Products Regulations, helping employers understand what needs to change before the December 14, 2025 compliance deadline. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Which HR policies are legally required for Ontario-regulated employers and which are best-practice recommendations 
• How the 2025 WHMIS amendments to the Hazardous Products Regulations affect Canadian workplace obligations 
• Why AI usage, electronic monitoring, and disconnecting from work policies are now essential considerations for Canadian employers 
• How to conduct a meaningful policy audit and keep your manual current as Canadian legislation evolves 
• How HR software and expert advice can help Canadian businesses manage compliance more efficiently 

Canadian HR legislation will keep moving. Make sure your policy manual moves with it. Download this guide now to build a stronger, more compliant foundation for your organization. 

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