Mary Lou Brady

Until recently, I was confident that an Ontario employer would not owe severance pay under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (the “ESA”), unless it met the $2.5 million Ontario payroll test. I am no longer so sure, following a surprising decision of Justice Kane of the Ontario Superior Cour…

Bill 146, entitled “Stronger Workplaces for a Stronger Economy Act,” was recently introduced into the Ontario Legislature by Yasir Naqvi, Minister of Labour for the governing Liberal party. Among other minor adjustments, the proposed changes would significantly increase employees’ ability to…

I recently blogged about the Expanding World of Job-Protected Leaves. In short, over the course of the last 12 years, new job-protected leaves have been added to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (the “ESA”) at an ever-increasing pace. Employers sometimes call me expressing concern about su…

Not too long ago, pregnancy and parental leaves were the only job-protected leaves under Ontario’s employment standards laws.1 Over the course of the last 12 years, new job-protected leaves have been added to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (the “ESA”)2 at an ever-increasing pace: Persona…

Many employees have sensitivities to fragrances found in the workplace. This can  lead to headaches, nausea and other symptoms that can hinder an employee’s ability to remain on the job. In this case study, Mary Lou Brady looks at a case involving scent sensitivity and gives tips to employer…

In June 2000, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (“OHRC”) released its Policy on Discrimination and Harassment because of Gender Identity, taking the position that the ground of sex could be used to protect transgender people from discrimination and harassment. The OHRC also called for an a…

The days are getting shorter and the weather cooler.  Fall is clearly here.  For many employers, this means that plans for the office holiday party are in the works.  It also means that many employees will be consuming alcohol at an employer-sponsored event. [Read More…] The days are g…

As an employer, do you rely upon probationary periods to terminate newly-hired employees who don’t work out, but where you don’t have “cause” in the normal sense? Do you rely on your probation language to avoid liability for pay in lieu of notice? If so, would your pr…

Is your organization in the private or not-for-profit sector? Does it provide goods or services to the public or to third parties? Does it have 20 or more Ontario employees? If the answer is YES to all three questions, then your organization must file its 2012 Customer Service Accessibility …

So the decision has been made to terminate an employee, and you are in charge of delivering the bad news.  As difficult as that may be for you, it will undoubtedly be more difficult and uncomfortable for the employee.   Below are a number of practical tips to reduce the stress, tension and p…