High Times: Medical Marijuana in the Workplace
Since 2001, medicinal marijuana has been legal and highly regulated as a controlled substance in Canada. But recent trends point towards a gradual relaxing of these regulations.
Without Cause Dismissals Under the Canada Labour Code: Wilson V. Atomic Canada
For several years, federal employers have lived with the uncertainty of whether they can dismiss non-unionized employees on a without cause basis.
Employers, Take Care when Suspending During Workplace Investigations
There was a time when workplace harassment—at least by today’s definition and standards—was relatively common across Canadian workplaces. Be it an inappropriate comment here or an unseemly touch there, these unwelcome advances were simply part of another day at the office.
Supreme Court Ruling Sets the Stage for Faster Wrongful Dismissal Actions by Employees
The past year has seen a significant rise in the number of wrongful dismissal actions that have been resolved following a motion for summary judgment, rather than a trial.
The Fallout from Workplace Investigations Done Wrong
It’s no secret that many employers struggle when it comes to conducting comprehensive workplace investigations.
You Could Go to Jail – Criminal Negligence Consequences for Individuals Who Violate Workplace Safety Duties
When Vadim Kazenelson was sentenced to an unprecedented three and a half years in jail for his role in a construction site tragedy, employers across Ontario collectively took notice.
The Ghomeshi Trial and the Challenges of Restoring a Workplace Still in Crisis
Since the start of Jian Ghomeshi’s sexual assault trial last month, Canadians have been captivated by news reports detailing the former CBC host’s personal life and behaviour. Unfortunately, unlike for much of the general public, the trial decision released today that Ghomeshi is not guilty of criminal charges of sexual assault and choking does not […]
What Bill 132, the Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan, Means for Employers
Jian Ghomeshi. Bill Cosby. Liberal MPs Scott Andrews and Massimo Pacetti. We have seen shocking allegations of sexual harassment and violence in the workplace over the past year. Perhaps the one silver lining is that these high-profile cases have highlighted the deficiencies in the way that many workplaces address allegations of sexual harassment, and the […]
Does Excellent Customer Service Require a Specific Cup Size? Ontario Human Rights Commission Releases New Policy on Sexualized Dress Codes
For anyone who’s dined at one of many of Canada’s popular chain restaurants or bars over the past decade, the employee uniform is familiar. It typically involves female servers sporting revealing apparel, from low-cut tops to micro skirts, as part of their mandated work attire. Their male colleagues, on the other hand, are typically asked […]