Articles 2021

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Mitigation of Damages Following Dismissal: New Instructions from the Court of Appeal

Mitigation of Damages Following Dismissal: New Instructions from the Court of Appeal

  • November 17, 2017
  • Andrew Reynolds

Employees who have been terminated without reasonable notice have a duty to mitigate their damages by searching for and, where possible, accepting alternate employment during the notice period. However, in a recent decision the Ontario Court of Appeal indicated that not all income earned during the notice period will be deducted from a damages award.

Labour and Employment Law
After-Acquired Cause for Dismissal: What Employers Don't Know Might Help Them

After-Acquired Cause for Dismissal: What Employers Don't Know Might Help Them

  • November 17, 2017
  • Nadia Zaman and Stuart Rudner

If an employer dismisses an employee without cause, and then later discovers that they had been stealing from the company for years, can they now allege just cause for dismissal? What if the employee was initially dismissed for just cause; can the employer rely upon after-acquired cause to bolster the grounds relied upon by them to support summary dismissal? This article articulates the principles that allow employers to rely on after-acquired cause as a justification for dismissal.

Labour and Employment Law
A Lesson in Mass Termination – New Decision Affirms Importance of Notifying the Ministry of Labour and Securing Adjustment Services

A Lesson in Mass Termination – New Decision Affirms Importance of Notifying the Ministry of Labour and Securing Adjustment Services

  • November 17, 2017
  • Genevieve Cantin

In the recent decision Wood v. CTS of Canada Co., the Ontario Superior Court provided useful guidance to employers, unions and employees caught up in a mass termination. The Court emphasized the importance of providing proper early notice to the Ministry of Labour and securing adjustment services for affected employees.

Labour and Employment Law
The Impact of Post-Dismissal Employer Conduct

The Impact of Post-Dismissal Employer Conduct

  • October 02, 2017
  • Jon Pinkus

In most cases, an employer’s liability will be based on the circumstances existing at (and at times, leading up to) the date of dismissal. Occasionally, however, an employer’s liability may be exacerbated by poor decision-making after the employee has left the building. Over the past twelve months, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice has released several decisions that provide a useful outline of how this can happen.

Labour and Employment Law
Enforceability of Non-Solicitation Provisions: Guidance from the Superior Court of Justice

Enforceability of Non-Solicitation Provisions: Guidance from the Superior Court of Justice

  • October 02, 2017
  • Shefali Rajaputra

The law concerning restrictive covenants in Canada has been a subject of substantial judicial scrutiny as whether or not a court would consider such covenants to be enforceable will depend on the facts of each case. When drafting restrictive covenants for inclusion in an employment contract, employers should consider various guidelines/limitations provided by the courts over time such as reasonableness, territorial and time limitations etc.

Labour and Employment Law
Dismissal Not a "Free Pass" to Retrain During Notice Period

Dismissal Not a "Free Pass" to Retrain During Notice Period

  • September 27, 2017
  • David Foster

An employee’s mitigation efforts remain one of the most contested, and unpredictable, issues in wrongful dismissal matters. In a helpful decision from the Ontario Superior Court, the concept of when retraining is appropriate was considered.

Labour and Employment Law
Resignation or Termination? New Guidance on Navigating Constructive Dismissals

Resignation or Termination? New Guidance on Navigating Constructive Dismissals

  • September 27, 2017
  • Matthew Lerner

The line between resignation and constructive dismissal has become increasingly blurred and is a common issue of contention in employment litigation. In the recent case of Persaud v Telus Corporation, the Ontario Court of Appeal provides useful guidance regarding the effect of conduct in determining whether a resignation is actually a constructive dismissal.

Labour and Employment Law
Are Ontario Employers Ready for Bill 177?

Are Ontario Employers Ready for Bill 177?

  • April 18, 2017
  • Inna Koldorf

Bill 177, once passed, will amend the Employment Standards Act, 2000 and the Occupational Health and Safety Act to introduce a new leave of absence for employees who are or have experienced domestic or sexual violence, or whose children are or have experienced domestic or sexual violence.

Labour and Employment Law
Summary Judgment in the Employment Law Context

Summary Judgment in the Employment Law Context

  • March 27, 2017
  • Andrew Monkhouse and Samantha Lucifora

The Hryniak decision called for a culture shift, and this shift has been strongly felt by employment lawyers, specifically with a recent increase in the scope of what summary judgment motions have been resolved, or partially resolved, by the Courts.

Labour and Employment Law