October 4, 2017

Changing Tides: Enforcement of Termination Provisions

From the employer’s perspective, one of the most beneficial terms in an employment contract is a prescribed notice period in the event of a “without cause” termination.

Mitigation Income: What’s In and What’s Out?

Under the common law, an employee who is terminated without cause is entitled to reasonable notice of termination, or pay in lieu thereof. That entitlement is not free of conditions.

August 10, 2017

Working Notice not Appropriate for Employees on Medical Leaves of...

A recent decision of the Ontario Superior Court, McLeod v 1274458 Ontario Inc., 2017 ONSC 4073, confirms that working notice does not apply where an employee is unable to work due to a medical leave of absence.

June 13, 2017

Case Law Update: Evans v Avalon Ford Sales (1996) Limited

Earlier this year, the Newfoundland and Labrador Court of Appeal unanimously upheld the decision of the Trial Division in Evans v Avalon Ford Sales (1996) Limited.

Agree to Disagree: No Constructive Dismissal Where Employer Wrongfully Withholds...

The Ontario Court of Appeal has offered employers some solace in handling disputes with employees over the proper interpretation of the employment contract.

April 5, 2017

Terminating a Probationary Employee? Not So Fast…

The recent decision of Pound v. iWave, 2016 PESC 39 (CanLII), is a good reminder for employers of the requirements to dismiss an employee during a probationary period.

March 6, 2017

Illegal Drugs in the Workplace: The Test to Establish Possession

The possession and use of illegal drugs in safety-sensitive workplaces continues to be a prevalent issue in Canadian labour law.

November 17, 2016

Dismissal Following Positive Drug Test Excessive form of Discipline, Alberta...

A recent arbitration decision from Alberta tackles a myriad of issues related to a positive post incident drug test.

November 9, 2016

Termination Clauses: Nova Scotia Supreme Court Weighs In

In recent years, there have been many decisions on the enforceability and interpretation of termination clauses in employment contracts – which employers and their legal counsel read with both interest and apprehension.

Medicinal Monday to Fridays: When Employees Are Under the Influence...

The recent arbitration decision, Unifor, Local 2001 NB v Old Dutch Foods Ltd, 2016 CanLII 61672 (NB LA) Arbitrator Doucet addresses the emerging topic of managing medical marijuana in the workplace, combined with searches of personal employee property.