Most of the business with Ontario that have employees, be it family members, or sub-contractors, need to register themselves with WSIB, an organization that offers workplace insurance to over 16 different industries.
A business needs to register with WSIB within 10 days of them hiring their first employee. Organizations can voluntarily register themselves with the WSIB for the first time, non-compliance of which might lead to investigations, penalties, provincial offences charge or having to repay retroactive premiums.
The following business need to register with WSIB:
- Construction
- Restaurants (if they have employees)
- Bars (if they have employees)
- Sales and Services
- Manufacturing (if you have employees other than yourself, a partner or executive officer in your company)
- Agriculture (if you have employees other than yourself, a partner or executive officer in your company)
- Trucking and Transportation (if you have employees other than yourself, a partner or executive officer in your company)
- Homeowner/ private resident hiring a domestic employee like a cook, nanny, maid, housekeeper, gardener, etc. (If you employ the help for more than 24 hours a week or share this domestic employee with another household and together employ them for more than 24 hours per week.)
Businesses exempt from registering themselves with WSIB:
- Banks
- Trust and Insurance companies
- Trade unions
- Private day cares
- Travel agencies
- Photography businesses
- Barber shops and many hair salons (with exceptions)
- Funeral or Embalming Establishments
They can however choose to insure their employees with WSIB.
For businesses not in the list above, refer to the employer classification manual to see further details on registration requirements.
Registration obligation may also differ in case of construction businesses. Refer for mandatory coverage in the construction industry more.
And, if you are a business that isn’t required to register or if you are a sole proprietor, executive officer or partner of your business, you can still opt to have the WSIB insurance.Source: https://www.wsib.ca/en/businesses/registration-and-coverage/do-you-need-register-us#ModalB1