Our annual Year in Review is here. In this article, Lesley Campbell, Ryan Freeman, Amanda Cohen, Rhonda B. Levy, and Owais Hashmi outline the most influential labour and employment decisions of 2025 and highlight two upcoming rulings that employers can expect to plan for the year ahead
Insights
Hicks Morley publishes a number of materials, both electronic and print, on issue-specific and sector-specific topics of interest to our clients. Our insights section has links to all of our various publications, updates and blogs, both current and historical, to keep you informed of developments in the law that impact human resources.
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Federal Post
Are your harassment and violence prevention policies up to date? George Vuicic breaks down the federal government’s recent reminder and what federally regulated employers should revisit to ensure continued compliance in the year ahead.
FTR Now
The Employer’s Holiday Party Playbook
· 6 min readHoliday parties can build team spirit, but they also bring unique risks for employers. Zohra Bhimani shares actionable tips from managing alcohol responsibly to accommodating diverse needs to keep your celebrations safe and inclusive.
Reaching Out
Wrapping Up 2025: Updates for Social Services Employers
· 12 min readAs 2025 comes to a close, social services employers face important changes shaping the workplace. Mornelle Lee, Madeline Lusk, and Michael S. Smyth share key insights on the rise of AI in HR, enforcing Last Chance Agreements and navigating new compliance rules significant changes under the Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025 – helping employers organizations prepare for 2026.
FTR Now
The Ontario Court of Appeal rules that employers have a statutory duty to investigate claims of harassment and have the authority to discipline off-duty conduct when it manifests in the workplace.
Human Resources Legislative Update
The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) will implement a significant procedural change that will impact how human rights disputes are resolved in the province. The HRTO has announced the launch of a mandatory mediation process for all applications filed on or after June 1, 2025. Applications filed with the HRTO prior to June 1,…
Case In Point
Employers seeking to initiate equitable hiring strategies may wonder whether such programs are “legal”, given the current political climate in the United States. A recent decision of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario contains important reminders.
Safe Sport
New Canadian Safe Sport Program (CSSP) Rules are now in effect – what does this mean for federally funded sport organizations? As of April 1, 2025, the new CSSP Rules apply to national national-level sport organizations, with significant updates around administration and compliance. In this Safe Sport, Brittany Bates, Frank Cesario, and Kayley Leon breakdown what’s changed and how organizations can ensure they meet the new standards.
FTR Now
Changes to the Employment Standards Act are coming. Since 2021, the Ontario government has passed a series of Bills that have amended a range of employment-related statutes.
Common Ground? Class Action Updates
The Federal Court of Canada determined a class action that sought to address alleged systemic anti-Black racism and discrimination simply did not meet the procedural criteria to certify the action as a class proceeding. In this Common Ground, Hicks Morley’s Sean Reginio examine the Court’s analysis.