13 | O akville B eaver | T hursday,A ugust 12,2021 insidehalton.com Virtual Meetings Over The Phone Here to Help From A Legal Point ofView Employers have a substantial degree of discretion regarding workers' vacation. However, it's good business practice to coordinate with workers as best as possible, taking note of the following rules. Ontario workers generally get a minimum of 4% vacation pay on their wages from the start and two (2) weeks' vacation after 12 months of service, unless their employment agreement provides a greater right (after 5 years, the minimum is 6%vacay pay and 3weeks' vacation). The Employment Standards Act, 2000 ("ESA") sets the minimum vacation rules for most Ontario workers. While employers have some discretion, they still generally have to ensure vacation is taken within no more than 10 months after the year in which it was earned. If the employer doesn't keep track and then says to its workers 'snooze you lose' this could lead to unhappy workers to say the least, and possible complaints, so it's better to be proactive. Workers have to take vacation in blocks, unless the parties agree to something different. But employers do not have to insist on that; they can allow vacation to be taken as allotments of days if an employee ask for that and they agree. For practical tips on improving your vacation policies, or other employment law advice, please email me at wjamieson@rossmcbride.com or phone me direct at 905-572-5806. I'm an employer. myworkers have vacatIon that I want them to use up. can I force them to take Itwhen Iwant? − ADVERTORIAL − Wesley Jamieson Labour, Employment and Human Rights Lawyer wjamieson@rossmcbride.com 905.526.9800 www.rossmcbride.com Even though Henry Putre owned a car, he chose to walk several ki- lometres every day to the barbershop he owned. Not only did he save money on gas, but it just felt good, he told his granddaughter Andrea Putre. In his 40-year career as a barber, he took great pride in walking to his job every day, she said. "He told me the one thing he missed most about leaving Austria was the mountains, which is why he loved tak- ing us to High Park when we were kids, as it was the closest thing to rolling hills that he could find in the city." Henry has long since retired and moved from his Toronto home to Chartwell Oakville over 10 years ago. But as he gets set to celebrate his 100th birthday on Aug. 20, surrounded by family and Chartwell staff, Henry maintains his commit- ment to fitness. "On any given day, you will find Henry walking the Oak Park neighbour- hood multiple times a day, using the machine in the fitness room twice a day and attending our fitness classes," said Claudia Dell'Anno, Chartwell life- style and programs man- ager. "He is also constantly encouraging other resi- dents to exercise as well; his famous words are 'you gotta keep moving.' He is so passionate about exer- cise that he has also facil- itated exercise classes in the absence of an instruc- tor. He truly inspires me every day." Henry was born in 1921 in Slovenia. He and his wife Stefanie were mar- ried in 1948 in Austria, eventually making their way to Toronto, where he began the trade his father taught him. Henry, who lost his wife in 2013, has one son, two granddaughters and seven great-grandchil- dren, ranging in age from six to 16. 'YOU GOTTA KEEP MOVING' Henry Putre will be celebrating his 100th birthday later this month. He can be seen walking around his Oak Park neighbourhood several times a day. Graham Paine/Metroland NEWS ACTIVE LIFESTYLE THE SECRET TO CENTENARIAN'S LONGEVITY "He is also constantly encouraging other residents to exercise as well; his famous words are 'you gotta keep moving.'" - Claudia Dell'Anno, Chartwell lifestyle and programs manager