Management Lawyers

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

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

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

Then Now Next: Ontario Government To Introduce Pay Transparency Legislation

Published on March 06, 2018

Stringer LLP

Premier Kathleen Wynne announced this morning that the Ontario government would introduce new legislation aimed at increasing pay transparency as part of a broader strategy to advance women’s economic empowerment entitled “Then Now Next: Ontario’s Strategy for Women’s Economic Empowerment”.

employment law,  human rights

Shifting Sands: Ontario Court of Appeal Upholds Termination Clause

Published on February 28, 2018

Stringer LLP

Employers, ever-weary of the next judicial pronouncement on the enforceability of specific termination clauses in employment contracts, may mark a recent decision by Ontario’s top court down on the positive side of the ledger.

employment law,  employment litigation,  wrongful dismissal litigation

Revoking Telecommute Agreement A Constructive Dismissal

Published on February 20, 2018

Stringer LLP

The Ontario Superior Court recently found that an employee had been constructively dismissed when her employer reneged on its promise that she could work from home three days per week.

employment law,  employment litigation,  wrongful dismissal litigation

Termination Clauses: Clearly Restrictive Language Necessary for Enforceability

Published on February 15, 2018

Stringer LLP

The Alberta Court of Appeal recently upheld a trial decision that struck a termination clause down as unenforceable.

employment law,  employment standards

Consideration: What’s Good for the Goose is Good for the Gander

Published on January 31, 2018

Stringer LLP

In a unique set of circumstances, the Ontario Superior Court recently found that changes to an employment contract which benefited an employee were void because the employer did not receive consideration.

employment law,  employment litigation,  wrongful dismissal litigation

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

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