Flight Risk: Lessons Learned from Politicians Travelling Against their Own Advice
Flight Risk: Lessons Learned from Politicians Travelling Against their Own Advice It is more than likely that your December holidays were relatively uneventful. While a few days off are a nice break from work, rapidly increasing COVID numbers kept most Ontarians in their own homes – restricting traditional family visits and gatherings. This was especially […]
Risky Business: Importance of Consistent Messaging in Terminating Employees
Important of Consistent Messaging in Terminating Employees A recently released decision by the New Brunswick Court of Appeal serves as a reminder to employers to stand by their decision when asserting just cause. In Abrams v. RTO Asset Management, 2020 NBCA 57 (Abrams), a 55 year old employee with approximately thirty years of service was terminated […]
Party Like It’s 2020 – Some Do’s and Don’ts for your Virtual Office Party
Do’s and Don’ts for Virtual Office Party For most Ontario employees, December really is ‘the most wonderful time of the year.’ While some businesses can have a frantic few weeks trying to close out their affairs for the year end, most workplaces are generally full of sweets and homemade goodies, cards and gift baskets from […]
Keeping the Faith, Avoiding ‘Time Theft’ With Good Policies…And A Little Trust
Keeping the Faith, Avoiding ‘Time Theft’ With Good Policies…And A Little Trust This year has taken working from home from being a once-occasional luxury to a practical necessity. Once something only seen on the Jetsons, advances in technology had begun to make working from home a viable solution for some businesses throughout the past […]
Supporting Ontario’s Recovery and Municipal Elections Act, 2020
Introducing the Supporting Ontario’s Recovery and Municipal Elections Act, 2020 On Friday, November 20, 2020, the Ontario Government enacted the new Supporting Ontario’s Recovery and Municipal Elections Act, 2020 (the “Act”). Employers should be aware of this new piece of legislation, as it contains several provisions which impact Ontario business owners and employers as they navigate […]
Red, White, and Even Blue…Just Not in The Office
We’ve just come through a major US election, one which polarized not just that country but held much of the world in its grasp. Rarely have two parties shown such a deep divide in their ideas and beliefs, which has led in turn to a divisive political climate. Even in Canada, it is difficult to […]
AODA Update and Extension
Public Sector, Private-sector and not-for-profit organizations in Ontario should turn their minds to their obligations under Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (the “AODA”), which have two approaching deadlines. AODA provides for deadlines and compliance objectives based upon size and type of organizations with the aim of identifying, removing and preventing barriers for people with […]
Matthews v Ocean Nutrition Canada Limited: Supreme Court Clarifies Analysis for Bonus Payments During Reasonable Notice Period
The Supreme Court just released a decision on Friday in which it unanimously upheld a constructively dismissed employee’s entitlement to an incentive bonus payment over the course of his notice period. Mr. Matthews, a chemist by background, was a senior executive with Ocean Nutrition, and was a part of the company’s long-term incentive plan (“LTIP”), […]
COVID-19 Response Measures Act
The COVID-19 Response Measures Act received Royal Assent on October 2, 2020, providing for several welcome forms of income relief for individuals impacted by COVID-19. Both employers and employees should be aware of these new changes, which are available to individuals ineligible for Employment Insurance (EI) who have had their incomes compromised due to COVID-19. […]
Limitation Periods Resume September 14, 2020
Limitation periods in Ontario have resumed as of September 14, 2020. Ontario courts and tribunals had suspended their timelines and limitation periods under O. Reg. 73/20 back on March 20, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the usual time limits for commencing claims and filing documents were paused between March 16, 2020 […]