What every employer needs to know about CNESST in Québec

Published

28 Nov 2025

What every employer needs to know about CNESST in Québec

Published

28 Nov 2025

Running a business in Québec means playing by a different rulebook — one that shapes every job you create, every dollar you pay and every safety decision you make. CNESST isn’t just another government acronym; it’s the system your entire workforce runs on.

And when you understand it properly? You stop reacting to compliance and start leading with confidence.

This guide cuts through the noise and gives Québec employers the clarity they’ve been looking for. Whether you’re hiring your first employee or running a fast-growing SMB, this is the handbook that helps you stay sharp, stay compliant and stay in control.

What’s inside this CNESST guide

You’ll get a clear, practical breakdown of the rules that matter most, including:

What CNESST is, how it works and what it means for modern Québec employers
The labour standards you must follow: from wages and hours to holidays and terminations
Pay equity rules (and what changes when you cross the 10-employee threshold)
Your health and safety obligations across onsite, hybrid and remote teams
How CNESST premiums, claims and reporting actually affect your overhead

Everything is written in plain language, built for SMBs and grounded in what real employers deal with every day.

Lead with confidence, not guesswork

You don’t need another dense legal document; you need clarity. That’s what this guide delivers.

When you understand CNESST, you don’t just reduce risk. You make smarter payroll decisions. You protect your team. You tighten your operations. And you run your business with the certainty every employer deserves.

If you’re building a team in Québec, this is the guide that should be on your desk.

Download the guide now

CNESST FAQs for Employers in Québec

CNESST stands for Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail. It’s Québec’s main authority on employment — overseeing labour standards, pay equity and occupational health and safety. It ensures every employer follows provincial laws on wages, working conditions and workplace safety.

Any employer with one or more employees working in Québec must register. That includes small businesses, startups and companies headquartered outside the province but employing remote Québec workers. Registration activates your employer file for workplace injury insurance and wage declarations.

Premiums are based on your total payroll and your industry classification. CNESST assigns each business a rate per $100 of payroll, depending on your risk level. For example, construction firms pay higher rates than office-based companies. Fewer accidents and accurate reporting can help lower your rate over time.

Employers must:

Pay at least the legal minimum wage
Provide statutory holidays and vacation entitlements
Maintain pay equity if you have 10+ employees
Prevent workplace accidents through safety programs
Report all workplace injuries or illnesses promptly

Meeting these obligations keeps your operations compliant and your premiums stable.

If an employee is injured, first ensure they receive medical care. Then submit the “Employer’s Notice and Reimbursement Request” to CNESST within five days of learning about the incident. Include all relevant details — date, location, cause and actions taken — and keep a copy for your records for at least six years.

Pay equity means equal pay for work of equal value. Employers with ten or more employees must conduct an initial evaluation and post the results. After that, reviews must be done every five years to ensure fairness continues. CNESST may request proof of evaluation or follow-up adjustments during audits.

Digital systems simplify CNESST management. Tools like HR software and Payroll software help automate payroll, record-keeping, safety reporting and pay equity tracking — reducing errors and giving you real-time visibility over compliance data.