Working Notice Inappropriate for Employees Who Cannot Work

Published on December 19, 2017

The Ontario Superior Court recently awarded an employee on leave due to disability, damages representing the salary he would have earned had he been able to work during the working notice period set by his employer.

employment law,  employment litigation,  wrongful dismissal litigation

No Bonus Entitlement - “Active Employment” Requirement did not Violate ESA

Published on December 04, 2017

The Ontario Court of Appeal recently denied entitlement to bonus payout to an employee who quit his job. The Court found that the language of the bonus plan, requiring “active employment” as a condition to receive a payout, did not violate the Employment Standards Act. 

employment law,  employment litigation,  employment standards

Stringer LLP - Prize in Labour Law

Published on November 27, 2017

Congratulations to the recipient of this year's, Stringer LLP Prize in Labour Law.

stringer llp

Change is Coming: Bill 148: Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act Passes Third Reading

Published on November 22, 2017

Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, passed its third and final reading today.

employment law,  labour law

Ambiguity Killed the Termination Clause

Published on November 20, 2017

The Ontario Superior Court recently struck down a termination clause in an employment agreement because of a seemingly minor ambiguity. 

employment law,  employment litigation,  wrongful dismissal litigation

Short Service Employee gets Four Months’ Pay in Lieu of Reasonable Notice

Published on November 16, 2017

The Ontario Superior Court recently awarded four months of pay in lieu of reasonable notice to an employee with less than a year of tenure.

employment law,  employment litigation,  wrongful dismissal litigation

Preferential Treatment for Employees with Active WSIB Claims not Discriminatory

Published on October 25, 2017

The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario recently held that it is not discriminatory for employers to treat disabled workers with active WSIB claims more favourably in the accommodation process than disabled workers without such claims.

human rights,  workers compensation

Overtime Averaging: No Notice, No Harm, No Foul

Published on October 11, 2017

In a recent decision, the Divisional Court refused to grant damages to a terminated employee for an employer’s failure comply with legislative requirements regarding overtime averaging. 

employment standards

Court Gives Guidance as to When OHSA Prosecutions May Lead to Jail Time

Published on September 29, 2017

A recent Ontario appeal, helps shines much needed light on the subject of when individuals may be subject to imprisonment for health and safety offences.

occupational health and safety

Court Limits Bonus Entitlement During Notice Period

Published on September 22, 2017

So when is an employee entitled to a bonus during the reasonable notice period? 

employment law,  employment litigation,  wrongful dismissal litigation

Court of Appeal Rules on Employers’ Obligations to Protect Employees from Harassment and Violence when they are Away from the Workplace

Published on September 19, 2017

In a recent decision, the Ontario Court of Appeal upheld a lower court’s ruling that a citizen’s harassing behaviour toward members of city council did not fall within the ambit of the Occupational Health and Safety Act because it did not occur at the "workplace". 

employment law,  occupational health and safety

Court Rules that Rejected Separation Packages are to Remain Confidential

Published on September 05, 2017

It is common practice for employers to offer departing employees, who are being terminated without cause, a separation package in exchange for a signed release from liability. But if the employee rejects the package, the employer may not be allowed to rely on the offer during any subsequent litigation. 

employment law,  employment litigation,  wrongful dismissal litigation

Can a Defendant be Charged Criminally After Pleading Guilty to OHSA Charges?

Published on August 25, 2017

A supervisor who pleaded guilty under OH&S legislation was later charged with criminal negligence causing death.  The criminal charges were recently dismissed, but the door is theoretically still open in other cases now and in the future.

constitutional law,  occupational health and safety

Avoid Procedural Missteps when Accommodating Mental Disabilities in the Workplace

Published on August 25, 2017

A recent decision of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario should serve as a lesson to all employers who wrestle with the complexities of accommodating mental disabilities in the workplace.

human rights,  workers compensation

British Columbia to Reinstate Human Rights Commission

Published on August 17, 2017

British Columbia Premier John Horgan announced earlier this month that the province will reinstate its Human Rights Commission. 

human rights