It’s 2018: Here are Three Workplace Policies That Businesses Should...

1. Workplace Safety If it wasn’t already clear, the wave of allegations that have had swept through the film industry and political sphere have demonstrated that sexual harassment and assault is a serious and prevalent workplace problem in our society. Under occupational health and safety legislation, it is the responsibility of the employer to furnish […]

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.

SCC Declares Termination for Impairment in the Workplace Not Discriminatory

Canadian Courts have long wrestled with the protection of human rights in the context of workplace drug and alcohol policies.

Employer Permitted To Terminate Employees Receiving LTD Benefits

A recent New Brunswick Labour Adjudication decision addressed the sensitive issue of terminating permanently disabled employees on long-term disability leave (“LTD”).

New Brunswick Employers Now Need to Accommodate Family Status

New Brunswick is about to join the bandwagon by adding “family status” as a protected ground in its Human Rights Act. All other jurisdictions in Canada have already made this move.

April 28, 2017

Random Drug and Alcohol Testing OK For Now at the...

In a recent court case from Ontario, Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 113 v Toronto Transit Commission, 2017 ONSC 2078, the Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 113 (the “Union”) applied for an injunction to prevent the Toronto Transit Commission (the “TTC”) from implementing random drug and alcohol testing for its employees.

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.