Latest news in Legal issues

Ontario government unveils new labour standards bill

Ontario government unveils new labour standards bill

The Ontario government introduced a new act on Tuesday that, if passed, would repeal or change much of the employment laws established by the previous government in…

  • By: Staff
  • October 23, 2018 September 13, 2019
  • 17:00
CFIB to offer tools, education for employers around legal pot

CFIB to offer tools, education for employers around legal pot

As Canada enters a new era of legalized recreational cannabis, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business is offering tools and educational materials for employers and employees.…

  • By: Staff
  • October 16, 2018 September 13, 2019
  • 16:00
What will happen to Ontario’s new employment legislation?

What will happen to Ontario’s new employment legislation?

Earlier this month, Ontario premier Doug Ford announced in the provincial legislature that he would be axing Bill 148, an assortment of changes to the Employment…

  • By: Ryan Murphy
  • October 12, 2018 September 13, 2019
  • 09:15
Editorial

Editorial: To be blunt: It’s time to embrace the benefits of marijuana

Marijuana. Cannabis. Pot. Weed. Bud. Grass. Reefer. Kush. Mary Jane. Ganja. Doobie. Trees. No matter what you call it, marijuana is dominating the Canadian news…

Legal cases highlight issues around LTD coverage

Legal cases highlight issues around LTD coverage

Whether considering age eligibility or policy wording, recent rulings for employees in a pair of Ontario cases are reminders to employers to review their long-term…

Ontario court decision raises questions on employee settlements

Ontario court decision raises questions on employee settlements

A decision from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice suggests that even broadly worded releases won’t cover subsequent lawsuits against employers for “improper conduct” such…

Employer, employee disconnect still exists as cannabis legalization looms

Employer, employee disconnect still exists as cannabis legalization looms

With just one week to go before recreational cannabis is legalized, a disconnect still exists between employers and employees around policies and expectations, according to a…

  • By: Staff
  • October 10, 2018 September 13, 2019
  • 10:19

$1.5M settlement for Muslim workers fired in prayer dispute

A large U.S. meatpacker has agreed to pay $1.5 million to 138 Somali-American Muslim workers who were fired from their jobs at a Colorado plant after…

Some McDonald’s workers vote to strike over sexual harassment

Some McDonald’s workers vote to strike over sexual harassment

Emboldened by the #MeToo movement, McDonald’s workers have voted to stage a one-day strike next week at restaurants in 10 cities in hopes of pressuring…

B.C. court decision highlights significance of termination notices

B.C. court decision highlights significance of termination notices

British Columbia’s Court of Appeal has upheld an award of five months’ notice for an employee with only 12 months of service who was terminated…

Lessons from a workplace harassment investigation gone wrong

Lessons from a workplace harassment investigation gone wrong

Just six months after a City of Calgary employee started her job as a tractor-trailer driver, everything started to go wrong. Her foreman and indirect…

Canadian labour standards not keeping up with changing workplaces, says government

Canadian labour standards not keeping up with changing workplaces, says government

The federal government has published its findings from nearly a year of consultations on federal labour standards with Canadian citizens, unions, labour organizations, employers, employer organizations…

  • By: Staff
  • August 31, 2018 September 13, 2019
  • 08:15
Consider health benefits, workplace policies as legal cannabis approaches

Consider health benefits, workplace policies as legal cannabis approaches

On Oct. 17, 2018, it will be legal to purchase and consume recreational cannabis in Canada. In a recent survey of Mercer’s employer clients and Canadian employees, we found…

  • August 21, 2018 September 13, 2019
  • 08:30
One-third of Canadian employers feel prepared for legal pot: survey

One-third of Canadian employers feel prepared for legal pot: survey

One-third of Canadian employers feel prepared for the impending legalization of cannabis, according to a new survey by Mercer Canada. The survey, which polled 366 Canadian…

  • By: Staff
  • August 16, 2018 September 13, 2019
  • 10:23
Government launches consultation on workplace harassment, violence bill

Government launches consultation on workplace harassment, violence bill

With a bill before parliament aiming to amend the Canada Labour Code as it pertains to harassment and violence in federally regulated workplaces, the government is…

  • By: Staff
  • July 25, 2018 September 13, 2019
  • 09:00
Court decision in IBM case clarifies enforcement of termination clauses

Court decision in IBM case clarifies enforcement of termination clauses

The long search for the perfect failsafe provision in employment agreement termination clauses may be over with the Ontario Court of Appeal’s recent decision in…

Canadian Group Insurance Brokers partners with online HR company

Canadian Group Insurance Brokers partners with online HR company

The Canadian Group Insurance Brokers is partnering with Vancouver-based ConnectsUs HR to provide its members with online human resources programs for its members’ clients. Members of the broker-focused group…

  • By: Staff
  • July 10, 2018 September 13, 2019
  • 17:00
A roundup of benefits, HR and legal considerations around legalized marijuana

A roundup of benefits, HR and legal considerations around legalized marijuana

While the federal government has pushed forward the initial target date of July 1 for legalizing recreational cannabis to Oct. 17, employers will still be busy trying…

  • By: Staff
  • July 1, 2018 September 13, 2019
  • 09:00
What to do when workplace harassers are members of the public?

What to do when workplace harassers are members of the public?

Although employers in Ontario have just as much obligation to address sexual and violent harassment from customers or members of the public as they do…

A pot primer for plan sponsors

A pot primer for plan sponsors

When it instituted random drug testing last year, the Toronto Transit Commission was eager to ensure its employees knew what it expected of them. To…

Canadian employers concerned about implications of cannabis legalization

Canadian employers concerned about implications of cannabis legalization

More than half (52 per cent) of Canadian employers said they’re concerned or very concerned about the implications of legalized marijuana on the workplace, according to a report by…

  • By: Staff
  • June 19, 2018 September 13, 2019
  • 15:30
Parental, compassionate leave changes take effect in B.C.

Parental, compassionate leave changes take effect in B.C.

Expanded leave of absence entitlements in British Columbia, including parental and compassionate leave, took effect at the end of May. The changes to the province’s Employment…

  • By: Staff
  • June 7, 2018 September 13, 2019
  • 15:30
Tips for workforce planning amid the changing landscape for leaves of absence

Tips for workforce planning amid the changing landscape for leaves of absence

Life doesn’t always happen outside of business hours. Everyone experiences the challenges of managing elements of their personal lives while being physically and mentally present at…

  • June 4, 2018 September 13, 2019
  • 15:30
Starbucks to close 8,000 U.S. stores for diversity, inclusion training

Starbucks to close 8,000 U.S. stores for diversity, inclusion training

More than 8,000 Starbucks stories and offices across the United States will close on Tuesday afternoon to host education and training sessions for employees on race, bias,…

  • By: Staff
  • May 28, 2018 September 13, 2019
  • 15:00
Court confirms employer’s right to change job conditions

Court confirms employer’s right to change job conditions

In a recent decision, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice found an employer didn’t constructively dismiss a long-service employee when it provided her with 18 months…

  • May 15, 2018 September 13, 2019
  • 07:45