Employee’s Failure to Disclose Medical Marijuana Use a Factor in...
A recent labour arbitration decision out of Newfoundland and Labrador considers the obligation of employees to disclose medical marijuana use in safety-sensitive workplaces.
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.
Terminated Employee Entitled to Bonus Payments
An employee in Ontario was awarded bonus payments for the applicable reasonable notice period following a without cause termination despite the bonus plan’s express terms that personal and company objectives must be met and the employee must be actively employed.
What Constitutes a Sufficient Breach of Trust to Justify Dismissal?
Cause for dismissal may be found where an employee’s conduct constitutes a serious breach of the relationship of trust that exists between an employer and employee. In Patanguli v Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), 2015 FCA 291, the Federal Court of Appeal upheld a decision of the Public Service Labour Relations Board which found that […]
An Employee With a 14 Year Absence Reinstated With Full...
In May of 2016, in Fair v Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, 2012 HRTO 350, an Ontario Court of Appeal upheld a Human Rights Tribunal with important implications for employers in relation to the duty to accommodate and the jeopardy of reinstatement.
Labour Arbitration: When are Damages in Lieu of Reinstatement an...
In the context of a unionized work environment, it is generally the case that when an employee is found to be terminated without cause, the employee is ordered to be reinstated.
Employer Liable for Remainder of Fixed Term Employment Contract
A new decision from the Ontario Court of Appeal shows the potential downside of fixed term employment contracts for employers and the importance of proper drafting.
Beware of the One Month Per Year of Service “Rule”:...
There is no shortage of cases which confirm the perils of assuming that an employer’s liability for reasonable notice of termination will be capped at one month per year of employment.
Substantial Changes to Employment for Employee Returning from Maternity Leave...
Dealing with employees who take maternity and/or paternity leave and then return to the workplace can be challenging for employers. However, the ability of parents to take maternity and/or paternity leave, and return to their employment, is a legislated right.
Can’t Afford to Keep Them, Can’t Afford to Fire Them:...
Employee salaries and benefits can be some of the greatest costs borne by a business. As a result, when a company faces financial hardship, they will often terminate positions to reduce their costs.