We’re in unprecedented times. As Canadians are increasingly being asked – and required – to self isolate, people are staying home from work. But what exactly does that look like for employers and employees? Our partner and employment law expert, Melanie Reist, was interviewed by CTV to help educate our…
Constructive dismissal can be complicated. Just what is it? And what can you do if you find yourself in a constructive dismissal situation? Let’s take a closer look: What is Constructive Dismissal? It is a situation in which your employer does not directly terminate you, but unilaterally changes significant parts…
Fostering a safe, healthy environment that prioritizes wellbeing is important for every business. When your workplace is psychologically healthy, your people are productive, contributing members of the team. However, in Canadian society, mental health is a growing issue: approximately one in five Canadians will experience a mental illness in their…
Workplaces work when people feel safe, included, and free to pursue opportunities based on their merit. They work when sound rules, processes, and procedures are followed — by everyone. Discrimination, harassment, exclusion, conflicts of interest, and other infractions create unsafe and/or unfair work conditions and may result in investigations. What…
Congratulations, you’ve just welcomed a bundle of joy into your life! Now that you are preparing to go back to work, you may also be a bundle of nerves. It is certainly an adjustment, and some worry is to be expected. One concern you should not have to contend with,…
When you’re about to start a new job, you may experience a flood of thoughts and emotions. Excitement. Eagerness. Trepidation. Perhaps a bit of anxiety. But one feeling you should not have, especially when it comes to your employment contract or offer letter, is confusion. Before you sign, make sure…
In the spring of 2012, I was privileged to be part of the committee that put together a two-day special lecture series on employment law and the new workplace in the social media age. We spent two days on a variety of topics ranging from privacy issues, social media network…
As Canadian headlines continue to speak of a deteriorating economic climate employers and employees are wrestling with how this will impact our workplaces. In the case of Michela and St. Thomas of Villa Nova Catholic School the Ontario Court of Appeal heard of an employer’s declining financial situation which lead…
A recent decision of an Alberta trial judge in Styles vs. Alberta Investment Management Corporation may be a game changer for employees when it comes to collecting incentive based pay after dismissal. Most incentive plans (bonuses, stock options, and restricted share units) include restrictive language often requiring that employees be actively employed…
We have seen this cautionary note repeatedly in the last few days as the social and regular media have lit up after a CityNews female reporter was harassed while interviewing Toronto Football Club (TFC) fans outside of the stadium. The language used was so vulgar that an acronym sprung up…
