When employers are investigating allegations of wrongdoing, they need the co-operation of witnesses who are often colleagues of the accused. It can create uncomfortable situations, with people afraid to speak…
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AccommodationFeaturedSpotlight Story
Drug and alcohol use creates delicate dance between safety and accommodation, says Rudner in wake of recent ruling
Addiction to drugs or alcohol constitutes a disability that needs to be accommodated by employers. But that duty to accommodate has its limits. “This does not mean they are free…
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June 23 was World Whistleblower Day. It’s an opportunity to stop and remember that whistleblowing is an act of courage, often undertaken by individuals with a deep sense of duty…
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Some threads, when you pull on them, can unravel our very being. The death of a loved one is on the top of that list — be it family, friend,…
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Constructive DismissalFeatured
COVID-19 layoffs and constructive dismissal: Tatha Swann breaks down recent rulings
At HRPA’s Annual HR Law Conference, Tatha Swann, founder of Swann Law in Toronto, provided an insightful session on constructive dismissal viewed through the lens of COVID-19 related layoffs. “There…
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Employment ContractsFeatured
Clear employment contracts can reduce liability, if you steer clear of pitfalls: J.P. Karam
There’s a simple reason why employment lawyers encourage HR professionals to use employment agreements with employees, according to J.P. Karam, a partner at Willis Business Law in Windsor, Ont. “It’s…
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Opinion/Commentary
Ruling highlights HR challenges in balancing termination, discipline in zero-tolerance era
What would you do if one of your workers, in the lunchroom before the start of his shift, referred to women as “hos”? And what if your workplace was in…
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FeaturedWrongful Dismissal
Terminated pulp mill employee, induced to leave secure job, awarded 12 months’ notice by B.C. court
A former operations specialist at Mercer Celgar has been awarded 12 months’ notice after the Supreme Court of British Columbia ruled he was induced to leave a long-term job. G.F.,…
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Occupational Health & SafetyOpinion/Commentary
Finding good in the bad: Alberta’s creative sentences for OHS incidents create legacy of safety improvement
Alberta continues to be creative with its fines for workplace safety incidents — and it’s a path other jurisdictions in Canada should be going down when it comes to penalizing…
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An Ontario court has stayed a class action lawsuit against Lyft over the classification of their drivers as independent contractors. Lyft is a San Francisco-based ride-sharing company that connects drivers…