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…
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Opinion/Commentary
Masked defenders: Walmart Canada steps up, takes heat off employees in human rights fight
Retail giants are often viewed as villains. But a recent move by Walmart Canada to defend two of its employees in a workplace human rights complaint is worth lauding —…
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Opinion/Commentary
Parq Vancouver plays winning hand in human rights case, provides blueprint on how to handle serious complaint
I’ve written a lot of stories over the years about legal missteps by employers and the damages that can cause to workers, reputation, and the bottom line. But every once…
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Arbitration/Labour RelationsFeaturedWorkplace Violence
Arbitrator orders security upgrades in parking garage at Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre in wake of assault on nurse
An arbitrator has called out an “unacceptable level of risk to the safety of employees” using a parking garage at the Health Sciences Centre (HSC) hospital in Winnipeg. Arbitrator Kristin…
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Opinion/Commentary
GO Transit case highlights the shadows cast by off-duty conduct after Ontario court blasts arbitrator’s reasoning
An Ontario court has confirmed, underscored, highlighted — and just plain emphasized, yet again — that employers have a duty to investigate allegations of workplace harassment even if there is…
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Opinion/Commentary
Bell attracts ire over virtual terminations, but the medium doesn’t matter – it’s the way they’re handled that counts
Bell has attracted the ire of Unifor for the way it handled some mass terminations on March 20. The union said that “hundreds” of its members were terminated via virtual…
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Employment ContractsFeaturedSpotlight Story
Rewriting the rules: HR needs to review employment contracts in light of Dufault ruling, says Rudner
HR professionals and employment lawyers alike are digesting the recent Dufault v. The Corporation of the Township of Ignace ruling by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice that could reshape…
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FeaturedJust CauseSpotlight StoryWrongful Dismissal
After the fact: Alleging cause post-termination is fair game, but tread carefully
Among the items missing from the HR toolbox is a crystal ball. When it comes to terminations, issues can come to light after the worker has been dismissed — and…
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FeaturedWrongful Dismissal
Trucking company worker failed to mitigate damages by accepting job offer that owner helped arrange: Ontario court
“No good deed goes unpunished.” That’s how an Ontario judge described an attempt by the owner of a failed trucking company to help a long-serving worker land another job. Justice…
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FeaturedRecommendedSpotlight Story
Cupid in the cubicles: Balancing love, and law, in workplace romances
Valentine’s Day always brings a heightened focus on romance and, for employers, it’s a reminder that love isn’t just in the air — it’s in the office too. That can…