Employer’s Just Cause Assertion Backfires, Results in $1,000,000 in Liability

Published on February 28, 2019

Stringer LLP

Ontario’s Court of Appeal recently upheld a trial decision in which an employer’s tactical pursuit of a just cause defence and counterclaim backfired catastrophically and resulted in a cumulative award of over $1 Million.

employment litigation,  wrongful dismissal litigation

Never Too Late: Court Rejects Employee’s Attempt to Avoid Liability for Theft

Published on December 19, 2018

Stringer LLP

What options are available to an employer who, after signing a mutual release releasing an employee from liability, finds out that the employee embezzled a large amount of money?  A recent Ontario court case suggests that the employer may still be able to pursue the employee for the amounts wrongfully taken, as well as invalidate a severance agreement.

Mud in the Water: Divisional Court holds limiting language required to displace presumption of reasonable notice

Published on December 18, 2018

Stringer LLP

A recent Divisional Court decision continues the trend of termination clauses being struck down and suggests that more termination clauses could be invalid than previously thought. 

employment contracts,  employment litigation,  employment standards,  wrongful dismissal litigation

Bill 66 Proposes Further Employer-Friendly Amendments to Workplace Laws

Published on December 10, 2018

Stringer LLP

The Ontario government introduced Bill 66, Restoring Ontario's Competitiveness Act, 2018 on December 6, 2018. Bill 66 passed First Reading, and is set to bring about further employer-friendly amendments to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (the “ESA”) and the Ontario Labour Relations Act (the “LRA”).

construction labour relations,  employment law,  employment standards

Reporting Bad Conduct to Regulator Defamed Ex-Employee

Published on December 04, 2018

Stringer LLP

The Court of Appeal recently confirmed that an employer defamed an ex-employee when the employer filed a false report with an industry regulator.

employment law,  employment litigation,  wrongful dismissal litigation

The Truth Will Set You Free – A Bad Reference is Not Necessarily Defamatory

Published on November 12, 2018

Stringer LLP

The Divisional Court recently upheld a trial decision finding that an employer did not defame a former employee when it gave him a bad reference.

employment law,  employment litigation

Jeff Murray Certified as a Specialist in Labour Law

Published on November 09, 2018

Stringer LLP

We are proud to announce that the Law Society of Ontario recently designated Jeff Murray as a Certified Specialist in Labour Law.

stringer llp announcements

Ontario Court Confirms that Unwanted Management is not a Constructive Dismissal

Published on November 05, 2018

Stringer LLP

A recent case from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice confirms that employers remain able to manage their workplace even when employees disagree or are unhappy with how they are managed.

constructive dismissal,  employment litigation,  wrongful dismissal litigation

Zero Tolerance Policies and Medicinal Marijuana

Published on September 28, 2018

Stringer LLP

The Ontario Human Rights Tribunal weighs in on the legality of a “zero tolerance” policy for workplace (medicinal) marijuana consumption.

human rights,  occupational health and safety

Court Disregards Release where Settlement “Unconscionable”

Published on August 29, 2018

Stringer LLP

The Ontario Superior Court recently allowed an employee to proceed with claims against his former employer regarding long-term disability insurance, even though he had signed a release in exchange for a severance package when his employment ended. 

disability benefits,  employment law,  employment litigation,  wrongful dismissal litigation

Ontario Court of Appeal Finds Clarity in Termination Clause

Published on July 25, 2018

Stringer LLP

The Ontario Court of Appeal recently overruled a decision regarding a termination clause, finding that the provision clearly and unambiguously ousted the presumption of common law reasonable notice.

employment law,  employment litigation,  employment standards,  wrongful dismissal litigation

Save the Date: 2018 Annual Employers' Conference

Published on July 24, 2018

Stringer LLP

Mark your calendars on November 8, for our 32nd Annual Employers' Conference.

stringer llp announcements

Suspensions: Caution Required

Published on July 18, 2018

Stringer LLP

A recent case from the Ontario Court of Appeal highlights the risks of using suspensions, particularly unpaid ones, but also provides insight as to how employers may implement them.

constructive dismissal,  employment litigation,  wrongful dismissal litigation

Superior Court Confirms that Employers can Fundamentally Change Employment Contracts with Reasonable Notice

Published on July 11, 2018

Stringer LLP

In Lancia v. Park Dentistry, the Ontario Superior Court confirmed that employers can change the fundamental terms of an employee’s employment, without providing consideration, so long as they take appropriate steps to provide reasonable notice of the change coupled with notice that employment under current terms would terminate at the end of that notice period.

employment law,  employment litigation,  wrongful dismissal litigation

Off-Duty Drunk Driving Not Just Cause for Termination – Even for a Firefighter

Published on June 27, 2018

Stringer LLP

In a recent decision the British Columbia Superior Court found that an employer that terminated a firefighter for driving drunk in a fire department vehicle while off duty did not have just cause to terminate his employment.

employment law,  employment litigation,  wrongful dismissal litigation