Latest news in Legal issues

What to consider when interviewing candidates with a mental illness

What to consider when interviewing candidates with a mental illness

From encouraging open discussions around mental health in the workplace to reintegrating workers once they return from disability leave, a lot of information is available…

Human Resourcefulness: HR lessons from The Office’s Dwight Schrute and Jim Halpert

Human Resourcefulness: HR lessons from The Office’s Dwight Schrute and Jim Halpert

The second episode of Benefits Canada’s new podcast, Human Resourcefulness, continues this week with a look at The Office‘s Dwight Schrute and Jim Halpert. Dwight cares a…

Have your say: Will high pot prices, regulations push users onto benefits plans?

Have your say: Will high pot prices, regulations push users onto benefits plans?

As the federal government’s plan to legalize recreational marijuana next year moves ahead, there are still many challenges, including how pricing and taxation of the drug…

  • By: Staff
  • August 9, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 09:00
Many U.S. employers requiring same-sex couples to marry to receive benefits

Many U.S. employers requiring same-sex couples to marry to receive benefits

Employers in the United States are increasingly requiring employees with same-sex partners to legally marry in order for their partner to receive health-care benefits, according…

  • By: Staff
  • August 8, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 08:30
Human Resourcefulness: HR lessons from The Office’s Michael Scott

Human Resourcefulness: HR lessons from The Office’s Michael Scott

This summer, Benefits Canada is launching a new podcast, Human Resourcefulness, that looks at problems presented in fictional workplaces and asks experts how they’d advise those companies…

Court finds working notice moot for employee on medical leave

Court finds working notice moot for employee on medical leave

A recent decision by the Superior Court of Ontario has confirmed that working notice doesn’t count when an employee is away from work due to…

‘Sigh of relief’ as university professor’s firing for benefits fraud upheld

‘Sigh of relief’ as university professor’s firing for benefits fraud upheld

A labour arbitrator has served notice that employees who commit benefit fraud will have a hard time avoiding dismissal. Earlier this summer, arbitrator Eli Gedalof upheld…

Retention bonuses of $9.2M for key Sears Canada staff spark outcry

Retention bonuses of $9.2M for key Sears Canada staff spark outcry

Sears Canada’s plan to pay out millions in bonuses to keep executives and key staff on board while not paying severance to laid-off workers is…

Employers concerned about ‘Wild West’ surrounding marijuana legalization: HRPA

Employers concerned about ‘Wild West’ surrounding marijuana legalization: HRPA

As Canada looks to legalize marijuana next year, many employers are still unsure about how to prepare for what happens when the legislation takes effect, according…

  • By: Jann Lee
  • July 6, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 16:16
Continued DB special payments would imperil Sears operations, CFO warns

Continued DB special payments would imperil Sears operations, CFO warns

Requiring Sears Canada Inc. to continue special payments to its defined benefit pension plan would put the company’s operations at risk given its liquidity constraints, the…

  • By: Staff
  • July 6, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 15:39
Structuring top-up benefits to avoid discrimination claims

Structuring top-up benefits to avoid discrimination claims

Employers are under no obligation to offer benefits. But if they do, they must offer them to all staffers in the same situation or face…

City of Saskatoon thwarted in bid to pay administration costs from pension plan

City of Saskatoon thwarted in bid to pay administration costs from pension plan

The City of Saskatoon’s failed attempt to unilaterally change the terms of its pension plan has produced an arbitration ruling that will likely make it…

Court affirms employer right to provide truthful, candid reference for former employee

Court affirms employer right to provide truthful, candid reference for former employee

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice recently found an employer wasn’t liable for defamation when it provided a truthful — but negative — reference about…

  • June 7, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 08:01
Alberta proposes family-friendly workplace legislation

Alberta proposes family-friendly workplace legislation

Alberta has published proposed amendments to the province’s employment standards code and labour relations code that would support family-friendly workplaces and bring the province’s standards…

  • By: Staff
  • May 25, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 10:45
Alberta expected to introduce new workplace legislation next week

Alberta expected to introduce new workplace legislation next week

The Alberta government says legislation to overhaul workplace rules could come as early as next week. Government House Leader Brian Mason says it’s “pretty likely”…

AIMCo case shows legal pitfalls of long-term incentive plans

AIMCo case shows legal pitfalls of long-term incentive plans

In 2010, David Styles moved to Alberta from Ontario to work as vice-president of relationship investments for the Alberta Investment Management Corp. While the decision…

  • By: Jann Lee
  • May 9, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 08:47
Salaried employees, retirees approve Stelco’s restructuring plan

Salaried employees, retirees approve Stelco’s restructuring plan

The majority of salaried retirees and employees, along with unsecured creditors, voted in favour of Stelco Inc.’s restructuring plan in meetings on Thursday afternoon. Under…

  • By: Jann Lee
  • April 28, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 09:45
Court overturns $176K in retirement severance awarded to B.C. mining employee

Court overturns $176K in retirement severance awarded to B.C. mining employee

The British Columbia Court of Appeal has overturned a ruling that gave a copper mine employee an 18-month severance package upon retirement. At trial last year, the…

‘Welcome news’ in B.C. court statement on non-culpable absenteeism

‘Welcome news’ in B.C. court statement on non-culpable absenteeism

What’s an employer to do when it faces benefits costs for employees on long-term disability for up to 10 years? Earlier this year, the B.C.…

Budget includes right to request flexible work, changes to internship rules

Budget includes right to request flexible work, changes to internship rules

Among the changes announced in Wednesday’s budget that affect employers is a plan to revamp the rules around unpaid internships and introduce a right to request flexible work.…

  • By: Jann Lee
  • March 23, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 10:43
Workers Compensation Board wants employers to develop policy for use of marijuana

Workers Compensation Board wants employers to develop policy for use of marijuana

A spokesman for a Saskatchewan agency that provides insurance and compensation for workers and employers says businesses should have policies in place before Canada legalizes…

Newfoundland mine retirees receive good news in pension battle

Newfoundland mine retirees receive good news in pension battle

Former employees of Wabush Mines in Newfoundland and Labrador received good news Thursday when the provincial government announced a legal move that could help them…

  • By: Jann Lee
  • March 10, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 09:54
B.C. case pits U.S. pension claims against Canadian workers in bankruptcy matter

B.C. case pits U.S. pension claims against Canadian workers in bankruptcy matter

In a case with significant consequences for Canadian employers and workers that has echoes of the saga involving Nortel Networks Corp., the British Columbia Supreme…

Ontario Uber drivers launch class action in bid to be considered employees

Ontario Uber drivers launch class action in bid to be considered employees

Drivers who work for Uber Technologies Inc. in Ontario have launched a class action lawsuit arguing the company has misclassified them as independent contractors and…

New ruling muddies the waters for employers dealing with family status accommodation

New ruling muddies the waters for employers dealing with family status accommodation

A ruling by the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario at the end of 2016 could make it easier for employees to bring claims for family status discrimination…