A third term for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau means some significant promises with the potential to impact employers and employees may soon become reality. During its campaign, the Liberal Party pledged to support workplace coronavirus vaccination mandates, a national childcare program, expanded public mental-health offerings and a right-to-disconnect policy. On vaccination mandates, the Liberals promised […]
Ontario’s Divisional Court is affirming employees’ right to sue for wrongful and constructive dismissal in the civil courts in cases of chronic mental stress arising from workplace harassment. “That’s important because workplace compensation claims by employees suffering from mental stress as a result of harassment might increase an employer’s premiums slightly, but not nearly as […]
With restrictions gradually lifting across the country this summer, employers started to turn their attention to their return to the workplace plans. Now, the fourth wave is underway and uncertainty continues to hang around us like a heavy, dust-covered curtain. But it’s time to clean up, move forward and set out plans for the big […]
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has made legislated bereavement leave policies top of mind for both employers and employees. As of Sept. 15, at least one in 1,376 Canadian residents have died from the coronavirus, for a total of 27,315 deaths, according to The New York Times. Bereavement leave is available for employees across most Canadian jurisdictions and some of […]
Transat A.T. Inc., like competitors Air Canada and WestJet Airlines, is requiring all of its employees to be fully vaccinated in accordance with a federal mandate for Canada’s air, rail and marine transportation sectors. “Everyone must do their part to ensure that we eventually overcome the virus,” said Annick Guerard, Transat’s chief executive officer and […]
Amid the ongoing federal election campaign, the Liberal Party is promising to table legislation that would allow employers to request proof of a coronavirus vaccination without fear of a legal challenge. While few details were provided, the legislation would pertain to vaccination requirements for employees and customers, according to a press release. Read: Where do […]
KPMG in Canada is among the latest companies requiring coronavirus vaccinations all employees. As of Oct. 1, the company is mandating vaccinations for all partners, employees, contractors and guests requiring access to an office, as well as for partners and team members going to a client site or an offsite location on KPMG business. Accommodations will […]
Air Canada’s recent decision not to offer rapid testing as an alternative for employees who refuse to be vaccinated against the coronavirus sets a tough new precedent that other companies may emulate, experts say. Canada’s largest airline will require all employees to disclose their vaccination status by Oct. 30. Employees who don’t have a valid reason […]
While the withdrawal of provincially-insured eye services by Ontario optometrists is unlikely to have a direct impact on benefits plans, it could cause a “trickle-down effect,” according to Kim Siddall, vice-president of enterprise consulting for the west at People Corporation. “Given that under Ontario law, insurers can’t cover the cost of the eye exams which were […]
If elected, the Conservative Party is promising it will encourage employers to add mental-health coverage to their benefits plans by offering a tax credit for 25 per cent of the cost of this additional coverage for the first three years. Meanwhile, the Liberal Party is promising Canadians increased access to free mental-health services through a new […]