Please see the employer’s communication for the Ontario Government’s T.W.E. announcement
The goal of the Temporary Wage Enhancement is to:
- Recognize the vital importance of Ontario’s Personal Support Workers who care for the most vulnerable COVID-19 patients
- Address urgent health system staffing priorities as part of the provincial response to COVID-19 and the current influenza season.
Q1: Who is eligible for the Personal Support Worker Temporary Wage Enhancement (PSW TWE)?
A: Employees working in a PSW role (which may or may not require a PSW certificate) whose primary purpose is to provide direct personal care such as feeding, dressing, personal hygiene and toileting for at least 50% of their time performing such direct personal care work will be eligible for the $2.00/hour Temporary Wage Enhancement.
Based on the information above, it was determined that employees who fall under the Orderly job classification would be eligible for the Temporary Wage Enhancement.
All other classifications were deemed ineligible based on the above criteria.
Q2: Are Part-Time and Casual employees eligible for PSW TWE?
A: Yes, Part-Time and Casual employees are eligible for the TWE if they meet the appropriate criteria listed above.
Q3: How does the TWE impact an employee’s salary, pension and benefits?
A: The TWE will not be considered part of an employee’s base salary, benefits or pensionable earnings (with the exception of CPP contributions).
Q4: Will employees be taxed on the TWE?
All regular statutory deductions will apply to the TWE and the standard tax method will be applied.
Q5: Will overtime hours be eligible for the TWE?
A: Yes, overtime hours will be eligible for the TWE.
Overtime paid at 1.5 times regular salary will be paid at a rate of $3.00/hour for the TWE.
Overtime paid at 2 times regular salary will be paid at a rate of $4.00/hour for the TWE.
Q6: Will employees receive the TWE if they are on vacation or any authorized paid leave?
A: No, the $2/hr. premium only applies to the hours actually worked including statutory holidays and overtime hours.
Q7: Will individuals redeployed to other settings to deliver Personal Support Services be eligible for the TWE?
A: Yes, eligible individuals redeployed to other publicly funded settings (e.g., long-term care homes) will be eligible for the TWE. The hourly increase will be paid through the individuals home employer.