EI Work-sharing: A potential option for employers and employees
With the decrease in economic activity in the wake of COVID-19, some businesses are resorting to layoffs to reduce operating expenses. But there is an alternative to layoffs that many businesses are not aware of – and one which may reduce some of the traditional risks of layoffs: the Work-Sh…
View the post titled EI Work-sharing: A potential option for employers and employeesLonger hours – More scrutiny
Workplaces still conducting business due to being considered “essential” should brace for more scrutiny by the Ministry of Labour. And on essential construction sites, that scrutiny can occur any time of the night or day, as working hours on these sites have been extended to 24 hours per day…
View the post titled Longer hours – More scrutinyCOVID-19 exposure in the workplace: will WSIB approve the claims?
Are workers entitled to WSIB benefits if they contract COVID-19 at work? The answer, in some circumstances, is yes. The WSIB has stated that workers will be entitled to benefits for COVID-19 “arising out of and in the course of the worker’s employment”; this is simply a reflection of the s…
View the post titled COVID-19 exposure in the workplace: will WSIB approve the claims?Leaves, layoffs, and furloughs – what are the differences? What are the risks?
Perhaps you thought that recent whipsawing between two revisions to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”) in one year was confusing. In my humble opinion, that was nothing compared to the deluge of acronyms and information flooding employers in this COVID-19 world. If it feels like thin…
View the post titled Leaves, layoffs, and furloughs – what are the differences? What are the risks?Canada Emergency Response Benefit: a primer for employers
Please note that since this blog was published, there have been further changes made to the CERB program, summarized here. As such, this blog may no longer be fully updated/accurate. Most employers are aware that the Federal government has introduced wage subsidy programs, described in more …
View the post titled Canada Emergency Response Benefit: a primer for employersCoronavirus – Employers’ frequently asked questions
With health experts proclaiming that the Wuhan Novel Coronavirus (i.e., the “Coronavirus”) is likely to become a pandemic, Canadian employers should prepare for the worst and plan how to respond to various employment-related issues that could arise if the virus continues to spread. With that…
View the post titled Coronavirus – Employers’ frequently asked questionsWhen is an investigation “appropriate in the circumstances”?
Every investigator has had one of “those” files. Allegations are abundant, historical, and/or about things like “he walked past me once without speaking to me.” Can an investigator refuse to look into allegations if they are ancient? What if they wouldn’t constitute harassment even if they c…
View the post titled When is an investigation “appropriate in the circumstances”?Are employees “off-ramping” from your organization?
When employees experience personal trauma, challenging transitions in the workplace, difficult relationships with managers, etc., some of them will choose to “off-ramp,” a term referring to those who voluntarily resign or reduce their working hours. Many employers will be familiar with an em…
View the post titled Are employees “off-ramping” from your organization?Employment law: 2019 year in review
Another year is winding to an end – which, of course, means that it’s time to reflect on the legal developments that we have seen in Ontario during the year. In this blog, I will present my non-exhaustive list of the most interesting developments to employment law in Ontario in 2019. Termina…
View the post titled Employment law: 2019 year in reviewPublic holiday pay: Is your absent employee entitled to it?
Section 26 of Ontario’s Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”) outlines an employer’s compensation obligation towards their employees when a public holiday falls on a regular work day. In order to be entitled to public holiday pay, the employee must pass the “Last and First Rule” – which req…
View the post titled Public holiday pay: Is your absent employee entitled to it?Receive Blog Posts
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