A recent decision serves as a reminder that supervisors’ actions—and inactions—regarding workplace safety are subject not only to the OHSA but also to the Criminal Code. In this Case in Point, Hicks Morley’s Artimes Ghahremani shares the Court’s analysis and key takeaways for supervisors.
Practice Area: Occupational Health
Safe Sport Considerations for Colleges and Universities
While Canadian colleges and universities are not required to adopt the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (the UCCMS), they may find themselves bound to the UCCMS by their participation with certain governing sport bodies and may want to develop their own policies to ensure a safe sport environment.
Year in Review – Key Legislative Updates of 2024
Welcome to our annual review of notable legislative updates over the past year that we believe will be of interest to employers and human resources professionals.
Ontario’s Working for Workers Six Act, 2024 Receives Royal Assent
On December 19, 2024, Ontario’s Working for Workers Six Act, 2024 (Bill 229) received Royal Assent. Bill 229 amends several statutes including the Employment Standards Act, 2000, the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997. Key amendments of particular interest to employers are addressed below. Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) The following…
Key “In Force” Dates Under Working for Workers Four Act, 2024 and Working for Workers Five Act, 2024 Now Proclaimed and Regulations Released
Both the Working for Workers Four Act, 2024 and Working for Workers Five Act, 2024 received Royal Assent earlier this year, with many of the key provisions to be proclaimed in force at a later date. This has now occurred and accompanying regulations have been enacted to provide additional obligations and, in some cases, clarify…
Ontario Introduces Working for Workers Six Act, 2024
On November 27, 2024, the Ontario government introduced the Working for Workers Six Act, 2024 (Bill 229). Bill 229 proposes amendments to various employment-related statutes, including the Employment Standards Act, 2000, Occupational Health and Safety Act, and Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997. Key proposed amendments are addressed below. Employment Standards Act, 2000 If passed,…
Ontario’s Working for Workers Five Act, 2024 Receives Royal Assent
On October 28, 2024, Ontario’s Working for Workers Five Act, 2024 (Bill 190) received Royal Assent. Bill 190 amends several statutes including the Employment Standards Act, 2000, the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997. In this FTR Now, we review key amendments of particular interest to employers.
Nurse Not Entitled to Communicable Disease Paid Leave If Not Required to Quarantine/Isolate
In a recent decision of significant importance to the hospital sector, Arbitrator William Kaplan held that a nurse will be entitled to communicable disease leave with pay only where they are required by hospital policy, direction of a public health authority or by law to quarantine/isolate. The paid leave does not apply to circumstances where…
Comedy and Satire: Human Rights Considerations in the Writing Room
While all companies have an obligation to prevent against workplace harassment and discrimination, those in the entertainment industry face a particular challenge. In some cases, the nature of the conversations and circumstances that workers may be engaged in could, in other work environments, be considered offensive or objectionable. As the cases discussed below illustrate, the…
City of Greater Sudbury Exercised Due Diligence in Construction Site Fatality As Appeal Dismissed by Ontario Superior Court of Justice
A long-awaited decision from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (SCJ) was released on August 23, 2024, dismissing an appeal by the Crown who challenged the trial judge’s finding that the City of Greater Sudbury exercised due diligence in a workplace fatality. This decision is significant for construction project owners and general contractors, as it…