Articles 2019

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Lessons from U.S. Sexual Harassment Class Actions for Canadian Employers

Lessons from U.S. Sexual Harassment Class Actions for Canadian Employers

  • October 03, 2018
  • Lisa K. Talbot, Sarah E. Whitmore and Morag McGreevey

The #metoo movement has crystallized the need for employers to actively mitigate the risk of sexual harassment and discrimination class actions. The flood of sexual harassment class actions in the U.S. demonstrates the urgency of this issue. In this article, the authors identify trends emerging from U.S. sexual harassment and discrimination class actions which are or could be making their way to Canada; and they identify lessons learned and proactive advice for employers.

Labour and Employment Law, Student Forum
Sexual Harassment and Intimidation at Work are “Not Connected to Employment,” Court Finds

Sexual Harassment and Intimidation at Work are “Not Connected to Employment,” Court Finds

  • October 03, 2018
  • Inna Koldorf

In its recent decision in Watson v. The Governing Council of the Salvation Army of Canada, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice found that sexual harassment, intimidation and other "improper conduct" at work were not connected to employment. Inna Koldorf reviews this decision, highlighting the implications for employers.

Labour and Employment Law, Student Forum

Contracts in the Court of Appeal: Right Decision – Using “Good Faith” in Lieu of Hard Line

  • May 22, 2018
  • Roselyn Kelada-Sedra, Sabsay Lawyers

Would you rather count on “good faith” from your boss or know what can lose you your job and what can’t? Sabsay Lawyers recently won a favourable decision at the ON Court of Appeal in the area of contract law, right on the verge of employment law, that brings this question to the forefront.

Civil Litigation, Labour and Employment Law, Student Forum
Federal Government Introduces Legislation to Address Violence and Harassment in the Workplace

Federal Government Introduces Legislation to Address Violence and Harassment in the Workplace

  • May 10, 2018
  • Matthew Craig

In the wake of the #MeToo campaign, which has grown to include several shocking revelations of sexual harassment on Parliament Hill, the Government of Canada has introduced Bill C-65 – An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code (harassment and violence), the Parliamentary Employment and Staff Relations Act and the Budget Implementation Act, 2017, No. 1.

Labour and Employment Law, Student Forum
Assessing Random Drug and Alcohol Policies: Recent Guidance from BC

Assessing Random Drug and Alcohol Policies: Recent Guidance from BC

  • May 10, 2018
  • Tyler Boggs

The recent case of USW Locals 7884 and 9346 v Teck Coal Ltd (Fording River and Elkview Operations) affirms the general arbitral consensus that, absent sufficient evidence of a workplace problem with drug and alcohol use, the implementation of a random drug and alcohol testing policy is likely to be dismissed as an unreasonable exercise of management rights.

Labour and Employment Law, Student Forum
'In Accordance with ESA' Not Good Enough to Oust Common Law Reasonable Notice

'In Accordance with ESA' Not Good Enough to Oust Common Law Reasonable Notice

  • May 10, 2018
  • Barry Fisher

A recent Alberta Court of Appeal decision ruled that a clause indicating that upon termination the employee would only receive notice “in accordance with the provincial legislation for the province of employment" was not sufficient to oust the employee's entitlement to common law reasonable notice.

Labour and Employment Law, Student Forum
Recent Court of Appeal Decision on Bonus and Benefits Over the Notice Period

Recent Court of Appeal Decision on Bonus and Benefits Over the Notice Period

  • May 10, 2018
  • Ozlem Yucel

A recent Ontario Court of Appeal decision confirmed that that test set out in Paquette continues to govern the determination of whether an employee is entitled to a bonus over the notice period. Further, the assessment of an employee’s damages on account of lost benefits is not based on the employee’s replacement costs of those benefits over the notice period, but rather on the pecuniary value of lost benefits flowing from termination.

Labour and Employment Law, Student Forum
If You Shouldn’t be Saying it, Don't: Sharing Confidential Information Can be Cause for Dismissal

If You Shouldn’t be Saying it, Don't: Sharing Confidential Information Can be Cause for Dismissal

  • May 10, 2018
  • Nadia Zaman and Stuart Rudner

In Manak v Workers' Compensation Board of British Columbia, 2018 BCSC 182, the British Columbia Supreme Court held that where a managerial employee breaches his or her confidentiality obligations, the employer may have just cause for dismissal. This decision not only shows that breach of confidentiality obligations can constitute just cause for dismissal, but also emphasizes the importance of a properly executed release.

Labour and Employment Law, Student Forum

Hospital Protected by Public Hospitals Act in Physicians’ Wrongful Dismissal Claim

  • April 12, 2018
  • Kate Deakon, lawyer, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP and Anne Corbett, partner, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

This article decision summarizes a recent decision, where the Court concluded that subsection 44(5) of the Public Hospitals Act will provide a hospital protection where the board of the hospital determines that the hospital will cease to provide a service.

Health Law, Labour and Employment Law