Ontario Has Extended the Temporary Rules for Layoffs and Deemed Leaves
On September 3, 2020, the Ontario government extended the period during which employers can temporarily lay off non-unionized employees for reasons related to COVID-19 without it being deemed a termination of employment. This is a major development that will give many Ontario employers struggling to recover from the business impact of COVID-19 more time before […]
Employee Status: when Is a Worker a Dependent Contractor?
January 17, 2020 For businesses of all sizes, independent contractors can be a useful resource to meet business needs. They often offer significant savings for businesses as they are not entitled to benefits under employment standards legislation as employees are. However, there is a risk that working relationships with individuals intended to be independent contractors […]
Legalization of Cannabis Edibles
As most Ontario employers know, new regulations regarding cannabis edibles and concentrates come into effect tomorrow, October 17, 2019, on the one-year anniversary of the legalization of recreational use of certain forms of cannabis across Canada.
Federal Election 2019
On Monday, October 21, 2019, Canadians will return to the polls to elect a federal government. Pursuant to the Canada Elections Act (the “Act”), every Canadian citizen who is 18 years of age or older is entitled to three consecutive hours while polls are open on election day in order to cast their vote.
When Are Employees Entitled to Bonus Payments After Being Dismissed?
The Ontario Court of Appeal (“ONCA”) recently provided further guidance on the enforceability of termination clauses and wrongfully dismissed employees’ entitlement to damages for the lost opportunity to earn a bonus during the reasonable notice period in Andros v Colliers Macaulay Nicolls Inc. [Andros]. Our blog this week discusses the bonus-entitlement aspects of the Andros […]
Frustration of Contract and an Employee’s Duty to Provide Medical Documentation to the Employer
The doctrine of frustration of contract is one which many employers struggle with
Failure to Take Harassment and Violence Complaints Seriously Can Be Costly
Employers who fail to take allegations of harassment and violence seriously and fail to deal with employee complaints in good faith can face major cost consequences
Can an Employer Rely on the Findings of a Criminal Trial in a Civil Action against one of its Employees? It depends!
When an employee is convicted of a criminal offence, employers can be left wondering what to do.
The Ontario Divisional Court Offers Another Take on Termination Clauses
A series of Ontario decisions in 2017 and 2018 demonstrated that termination clauses are tricky business!
Pay Transparency Act Delayed Indefinitely
On the heels of the major set of employment law changes introduced by Bill 47, the Ontario government today passed Bill 57,