Blog

Last updated: March 26, 2026

EmployNext is an outcomes based employment services program powered by Serco. We deliver Employment Ontario services across several Ontario catchment areas under agreements supported by the Province of Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD).

This Privacy Policy explains how EmployNext (Serco Canada Inc. and its affiliates, “Serco”, “EmployNext”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) collects, uses, discloses, stores, and safeguards personal information of job seekers, employers, community partners/service providers, and site visitors who interact with EmployNext digital properties, events, and services.

By using EmployNext services or providing personal information to us, you acknowledge that you are authorized to do so and agree to this Privacy Policy and any program specific privacy notices that may apply.

APPLICABLE LAWS

We handle personal information in accordance with Canadian privacy law, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and applicable provincial requirements.
For records held by Ontario public institutions (e.g., ministries), FIPPA sets rules for how those institutions collect, use, disclose, and safeguard personal information. (If you seek access to records held by a public institution, please use the Ontario FOI process.)

WHAT WE COLLECT

Depending on how you use EmployNext, we may collect:

  • Identity & contact: name, date of birth, mailing address, email, phone, preferred language.
  • Government & program identifiers: Employment Ontario client IDs, file/case numbers, and other program reference numbers.
  • Profile & eligibility: education and training history, work history, certifications, licenses, immigration or work authorization status, and job preferences.
  • Supports & Barriers: self reported information relevant to employment supports (e.g., transportation, childcare, accessibility needs).
  • Employer Information (for business users): organization name, role/title, hiring needs, sector, and location.
  • Transactional & Communications: service requests, referrals, appointments, case notes, surveys, complaints, or inquiries.
  • Technical data: device/browser type, IP address, pages viewed, and cookie identifiers (see Cookies & similar technologies).

WHY WE USE YOUR INFORMATION

We use personal information to:

  • Deliver Employment Ontario services you request (assessment, referrals, case management, workshops, job search supports, and employer services).
  • Match job seekers and opportunities.
  • Operate, maintain, and improve our websites, portals, and customer support.
  • Monitor quality, evaluate outcomes, and meet reporting obligations associated with publicly funded programs.
  • Protect our services, investigate fraud/abuse, and comply with law.
  • Obtain your feedback (e.g., satisfaction surveys) to enhance service delivery.
  • Legal bases (PIPEDA principles): accountability, identifying purposes, meaningful consent, limiting collection, limiting use/disclosure/retention, accuracy, safeguards, openness, access, and challenging compliance.

WHEN WE SHARE INFOMRATION

We do not sell personal information. We share only as described below:

  • Program delivery partners: With community service providers and organizations you the client work with or authorize, to coordinate your Employment Ontario services and supports.
  • Provincial program systems/authorities: Where required to deliver Employment Ontario services and meet funding or reporting requirements.
  • Vendors under contract: With vetted service providers (e.g., secure hosting, case management, analytics, customer support, communications) who act on our instructions, are bound by confidentiality, and must implement appropriate security controls.
  • Legal & safety: To comply with law, enforce agreements, protect rights, safety, or security, and respond to lawful requests from authorities or regulators.

COOKIES AND SIMILAR TECHNOLOGIES

We use cookies and similar technologies to operate the site, remember preferences, keep sessions secure, and understand how our services are used so we can improve them.
Categories include:

  • Strictly necessary (authentication, security, load balancing)
  • Functional (preferences, localization)
  • Analytics (aggregated usage insights; IP and device info)
  • Optional tools (e.g., embedded maps or media, where enabled)

You can manage cookies via your browser settings; blocking some cookies may affect site functionality.

DATA LOCATION, SECURITY AND GOVERNMENT STANDARDS

  • Storage Location: Personal information is stored in Canada in Canadian data centres, but may be processed in the United States of America unless otherwise noted in a program specific notice.
  • Security: We apply administrative, technical, and physical safeguards aligned to Ontario government security standards (e.g., GO ITS 25.0 General Security Requirements and related guidance), including encryption, access controls, and logging/monitoring appropriate to risk.
  • Cryptography: We use industry standard cryptography consistent with Government of Ontario guidance (e.g., GO ITS 25.12 – Security Requirements for the Use of Cryptography).

Breach response: We maintain incident response procedures and will notify affected parties as required by law or contract, and coordinate with applicable authorities. (Ontario public institutions covered by FIPPA have their own breach notification requirements.)

INTERNATIONAL ACCESS AND TRANSFERS

Personal information is stored in Canada within Canadian data centres and is subject to the privacy laws and protections applicable in Canada. However, in limited and clearly defined circumstances, personal information may be accessed from outside Canada by authorized support personnel or contracted services.

Where access from outside Canada is required, we impose strict safeguards to maintain a level of protection comparable to Canadian privacy requirements. We also conduct due diligence and ongoing oversight of compliance to verify that personal information is handled in accordance with EmployNext Privacy Policy.

Any personal information accessed from outside Canada may be subject to the laws of the foreign jurisdiction in which the services or support personnel operates. These laws may permit government authorities, including courts, law enforcement agencies, or national security bodies, to request or obtain access to personal information under their legal frameworks.

We limit cross border access to only what is strictly necessary, ensure that such access is proportional to its purpose, and review these practices regularly to confirm ongoing compliance with applicable Canadian privacy legislation and contractual commitments. By using our Services, you acknowledge that such international access may occur under these controlled and safeguarded conditions.

RETENTION

We keep personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes above or to satisfy legal, regulatory, audit, and contractual requirements.

  • Records of consent shall be retained for up to seven (7) years (or longer if required by law). When retention ends, we securely delete, de identify, or anonymize information in line with our standards and obligations.

YOUR RIGHTS AND CHOICES

Subject to legal limits, you may exercise the following rights:

  • Access: Request a copy of your personal information we hold.
  • Correction/Update: Ask us to update or correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
  • Deletion: Request deletion where no longer required for the stated purposes (legal/contractual limits may apply).
  • Restriction/Objection: Ask us to limit certain processing if appropriate/ technology available to do so.
  • Portability: Request your information in a structured, commonly used format where feasible.
  • Consent management: Withdraw consent at any time (this will not affect prior processing). If withdrawing consent affects our ability to deliver services, we will explain your options.

How to submit a request: see Contact us below at the bottom of the website. We respond within 30 days or inform you in writing if an extension is needed. We will take reasonable steps to verify your identity.

Access to records held by Ontario public institutions (e.g., MLITSD): If you seek access to records held by a ministry, please submit a Freedom of Information (FOI) request directly to that institution.

AUTOMATED TOOLS AND AI

To help connect job seekers with suitable opportunities and support employers, EmployNext may use automated tools such as résumé parsing technology, skills and role matching algorithms, or prioritization frameworks.
These tools are used to assist our staff/ Service Providers. Any decisions that could significantly affect an individual, such as determinations of program eligibility are never made solely through automated means.

CHANGES TO THIS POLICY

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes to our services or legal requirements. We will post updates here with a new “Last updated” date and, where required by law, provide additional notice.

QUESTIONS

EmployNext is committed to maintaining the highest standards of privacy and security and has dedicated personnel who are accountable for overseeing our compliance, security practices, and governance obligations related to Personal Information. EmployNext takes full responsibility for the management and confidentiality of the Personal Information it collects through its websites, events, products, and services. By providing this Privacy Policy, EmployNext affirms its ongoing commitment to safeguarding the Personal Information you entrust to us.

We maintain administrative, technical, and organizational measures designed to protect Personal Information against loss, unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse. Our security and privacy practices are reviewed regularly to ensure they remain effective, compliant, and aligned with evolving legal, regulatory, and industry standards.
If you believe EmployNext is not adhering to this Privacy Policy, or if you have concerns about Serco’s Personal Information handling practices, you may contact our compliance team at [email protected]. We will investigate all concerns promptly and thoroughly.

CONTACT US

We accept privacy requests and questions via:
Head Office: 220 Bay Street, Suite 800, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J 2W4
Toll free: +1 888 319 7197
Email: [email protected].
This Privacy Policy is available in accessible formats upon request.