May 7, 2019

Disciplining Employees for Off-duty Social Media Use: When is it...

When is it appropriate for an employer to discipline an employee for their activity on social media? This is a question that employers often struggle with, due to the fact that it raises complex and nuanced issues, such as the divide between a person’s private life and their employment responsibilities, and the extent to which […]

June 1, 2018

Intention Irrelevant in Breach of Drug and Alcohol Policy

The grievor was employed by Magna Services Limited as a millwright on a “call in” basis on the Terra Nova offshore petroleum production platform. His employment was terminated for non-compliance with the employer’s Drug and Alcohol Policy (the “Policy”) when a small amount of marijuana was found in the pocket of his jeans during a screening prior to boarding a helicopter for transport to the offshore Terra Nova platform.

Moot Gets the Boot: NSUARB Mootness Decision

The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board recently dismissed an appeal as “moot” because its decision would have no practical or legal effect on the parties in Ashcroft Homes Inc. (Re), 2017 NSUARB 4.

September 30, 2016

Sexual Harassment and the Perils of Failing to Manage Workplace...

The recent arbitration decision in Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 1418 v New Brunswick (Justice and Public Safety), 2016 CanLII 50052 (NB LA) (July 28, 2016) highlights the dangers in failing to confront employee “bad” behaviour and being lax with policy enforcement and training.