In our FTR Now of September 24, 2009, “Cell Phone and Blackberry Restrictions For Drivers Are Coming Into Force: Is Your Workplace Ready?,” we provided you with a detailed overview of the new legislation restricting the use of hand-held mobile technology devices and presence of display screens while driving. Yesterday, the Ontario Government announced that…
Industry: Education
School Board Update
IN THIS ISSUE 2009 Hicks Morley School Board Conference Teaching Assignments for Principals Cyberbullying Probationary Employees EA Travel Time WSIB LOE Benefits for Retirees Pay Equity Retiring Gratuities School Board Governance Grouped Classes 2009 HICKS MORLEY SCHOOL BOARD CONFERENCE – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2009 On Friday, November 20, Hicks Morley will present its 2009 School…
Recent Developments under the AODA
It was a busy summer of new developments under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”), several of which employers and other organizations should note: the “Initial Proposed Accessible Built Environment Standard” was released for public comment; the “Final Proposed Accessible Information and Communications Standard” was submitted to the Minister for approval; the…
Access and Production Requirements and Records Possessed by Faculty Members
The Canadian Association of University Teachers recently published a memorandum about records in the possession of faculty members that raises some significant issues for Ontario universities. In a memorandum dated April 8, 2009, and now published on the internet, the association states, “Based on collective agreements, memorandum of agreements, faculty handbooks and on past practice…
Hicks Morley Information & Privacy Post – Spring 2009
We’re happy to publish the first 2009 edition of the Hicks Morley Information and Privacy Post! As usual, we have summarized the most recent and notable cases relating to privacy and access to information, protection of confidential business information and the law of production. So what’s new? Much has been said about Leduc v. Roman,…
Ontario Government Introduces Workplace Violence Legislation
On April 20, 2009, the Ontario Government introduced amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act) to address workplace violence and harassment. If passed, Bill 168, the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act (Violence and Harassment in the Workplace), 2009, would require employers to develop policies to address workplace violence and harassment and to…
School Board Update
IN THIS ISSUE EFTO Bargaining Support Paid Religious Leave Management’s Rights Job Qualifications of Teachers Union Dues Trustee Conflict of Interest Damages for Maximum Class Size Violations Access to Adverse Reports Workers’ Compensation Claims and the Human Rights Code ETFO BARGAINING SUPPORT Public district school boards have less than a month in which to reach…
What Educational Organizations And Regulatory Bodies Need To Know About Proposed AODA Standard
In late 2008, a proposed new standard under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (the “AODA”) was released for public comment. The proposed Accessible Information and Communications Standard (the “Standard”) addresses all manner of conveyance of information and communications, whether orally, in print or electronic, and will impose a variety of requirements and…
Ontario Government Announces Pension Funding Relief
Spurred on by the current economic unrest, the Ontario Government announced yesterday that it will introduce legislation in early 2009 to provide pension plans with solvency funding relief. Following on the heels of the release of the Report of the Expert Commission on Pensions, the proposed temporary solvency relief is intended to better ensure the…
Enjoying a Safe Holiday Season
The holiday season is once again upon us. While some employers may be scaling back on festivities this year, it remains as important as ever that employers take proactive steps to ensure the health and safety of their employees who attend office parties or other celebrations. Over the years, a number of court decisions have…