Future of Work Insights

Beginning January 1, 2026, Ontario employers will have a new legal obligation to notify candidates about the outcome of their job applications. Employers are required to inform candidates within 45 days of a formal interview regarding the status of their application. This “duty to inform” is designed to improve communication between employers and candidates, fostering a more transparent and professional recruitment experience. Non-compliance could result in complaints to the Ministry of Labour and potential enforcement action.

It is important to note that this obligation applies only to formal interviews and does not extend to preliminary screenings, resume reviews, or applicants who were not interviewed. Employers are therefore not required to provide updates to every individual who submits a resume.

For organizations, this new requirement will likely necessitate greater operational oversight of recruitment processes. Most standard Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) can automate notifications to help ensure compliance, and for those organizations without an ATS, setting a calendar reminder every 30 to 45-days to update all candidates should suffice. 

As the rollout approaches, recruiters and hiring managers should review their systems and processes to confirm they can meet this new requirement.