Publications
Mitigation in Canadian Employment Law: Just Claiming It Not Enough
A recent decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal confirms the possibility of reduction of damages claim based on mitigation, provided that there is actual evidence that employee has not taken reasonable steps to finding a new job.
Punitive Damages: Canadian Employers Beware!
A recent Ontario court decision that awarded punitive and moral damages in Pohl v. Hudson’s Bay Company, 2022 ONSC 5230 highlights the importance for employers to have a proper process for dealing with terminations.
Fixed-Term Contracts: Canadian Employers Beware
A recent Ontario Superior Court of Justice decision provides a stark lesson for employers using fixed-term or time-limited employment agreements.
Canadian Workplace Privacy Rights: Reinforced by Ontario Court of Appeal
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms can have substantial implications in reinforcing privacy of Canadian employees. A recent decision highlights the importance of developing, implementing and administering rules and policies regarding technology used by employees.
Canadian Covid-19 Policies: Refusal To Comply May Justify Termination
A challenging issue that employers have faced during the pandemic is how to deal with cases of employees who voluntarily refuse to comply with employer health and safety rules and the related policies which organizations have adopted in response to the pandemic.
Ontario Employers: Prepare for Employee Monitoring Rules effective October 2022
Ontario’s provincial government announced new legislation which will require employers to provide information on whether the employer electronically monitors its workers.
Canadian Contractors – Dependent or Independent?
Helpful insights into the distinctions between those who are dependent vs. independent contractors
Ontario’s “Wilful Misconduct”: Difficult for Employers to Prove
The requirements to prove “wilful misconduct” have been clarified in a recent decision from the Ontario Court of Appeal
Canadian Employee Secondments: Not “Temporary” Employment Agreements
Employees who are seconded are not able to “double collect” damages for both the termination of the secondment and the termination of the underlying employment relations.
Ontario Gig Workers: $15 Minimum Wage and Other “Employee-Like” Rules Coming Soon
Some of the concepts set out in these new rules have been supported by key platform economy companies, including Uber.
Ontario Non-Compete Agreements: “Not Dead Yet!”
A recent Ontario court decision confirms, however, that the Act does not affect relevant agreements entered into prior to October 25, 2021.
Canadian Employment Law Class Actions: Potential Pandemic Claim Certified
The use of class actions for Canada employment law claims has traditionally been considered to be a tool used more in theory than in practice. Aa recent decision from the British Columbia Supreme Court, which granted a certification order to a group of employees who have lost work during the pandemic.
Sick Pay For Self-Isolating Canadian Employees: Is It Required?
The COVID-19 pandemic has raised a host of novel issues, and one of the more challenging questions is whether or not an employer is required to continue to pay employees who are forced to self-isolate and are thus prevented from attending at work due to what are arguably circumstances beyond their control.
Canadian Stock Options: Clicked Boxes Can Create Binding Legal Agreement
A recent decision from Ontario’s Court of Appeal provides a much-needed boost to employers who operate share incentive and stock options plans which have Canadian participants.
Ontario Termination Clauses: Maybe A Deal Still Is A Deal
A recent Ontario Superior Court of Justice offers some hope that termination provisions in employment agreements may in fact be enforceable notwithstanding the decision in Waksdale.
Uber Driver Class Action: Certified by Ontario Court
The various legal challenges which Uber Technologies Inc. has faced in Canada and else have continued in recent months, with Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice deciding in August 2021 to certify a driver class action which focusses on whether or not Uber’s workers have been improperly misclassified as independent contractors.
Mandatory COVID-19 Testing: Endorsed by Ontario Arbitrator
A recent Canadian labour arbitration decision provides some comfort to employers who have adopted or may be considering mandatory COVID-19 testing for employees or others.
Ontario Private Sector Privacy Legislation: Coming Soon?
In 2020, the Canadian federal government introduced Bill C-11, which would introduce widespread changes to Canada’s privacy regime at the federal level.
Changing Workplaces: Personal Appearance Rules Also Evolving
Business and HR professionals have been focused on the various workplace issues, legal and otherwise, associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. While these issues are profound and will have lasting impacts, it is important to also recognize that work and workplaces are continuing to evolve in response to how society is changing more generally.
Ontario COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit
This legislation will create the Ontario COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit which will be available until September 25, 2021.