Hi everyone,
I recently worked for a door-to-door charity fundraising company in Ontario. They classified me as an independent contractor, but I was required to work full-time set hours (12–8 or 1–8), use their scripts, attend mandatory meetings (“pitch class”), follow strict supervision, and use a company-owned tablet that I was forced to “lease” for $15/month just to do the job.
Key issues:
• I worked 7 full days under this arrangement. They owe me $980 at minimum wage ($17.50/hr x 8 hrs/day).
• I was also forced to attend an unpaid “shadow day” which involved following a manager, receiving direction, and even being encouraged to talk to donors. I was praised after and told to join team chats — so it clearly wasn’t just an “interview.”
• I had no control over breaks. I had to stay with my assigned group, couldn’t leave or do what I wanted during unpaid breaks, and didn’t have a vehicle.
• I brought up concerns about being unpaid and misclassified — and was abruptly removed from chats and told not to return, even though I didn’t quit. I was ready to keep working. They claim I “declined the role,” but that’s false.
They’re now refusing to pay me at all, saying I “declined the contractor role” and that my hours “weren’t authorized.” I also sent respectful messages to coworkers saying I’d been let go after asking about pay, and that misclassification seemed illegal — now they’re claiming I broke my contract by doing that.
I’ve compiled extensive documentation, including:
• Screenshots of management messages
• The tablet lease agreement
• WhatsApp evidence of controlled hours, assignments, team rules, and more
I plan to file a complaint with the Ontario Ministry of Labour for:
• Employee misclassification
• Unpaid wages
• Illegal deductions (tablet)
• Reprisal under ESA Section 74
Any advice on how best to proceed or what else I should include in my complaint? Has anyone else dealt with this kind of situation?
Thanks in advance — I’m struggling financially and just want to be paid for the time I worked.
Location: Ontario