Industry: Long-Term Care and Home Care

Enjoying a Safe Holiday Party in COVID Times   

· 8 min read

The holiday season is a time for people to come together and celebrate. As COVID-19 circumstances evolve, many employers are intending to return to in-person workplace celebrations for the first time since December 2019. All employers, regardless of size, should ensure that in addition to traditional party logistics, they take the time to develop a…

Federal Government Publishes Regulations Regarding Paid Medical Leave and Guidance on “Stacking” with Existing Leaves

· 5 min read

On November 7, 2022, the federal government published Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made Under the Canada Labour Code (Medical Leave with Pay) (Regulations), regulatory amendments which will give effect to the new paid medical leave provisions under the Canada Labour Code (Code). Guidance on the issue of “stacking” of the new paid medical leave with…

Canadian Human Rights Commission Updates Its Complaint Rules

· 4 min read

On October 28, 2022, the Canadian Human Rights Commission (Commission) announced that it had updated its Complaint Rules (Updated Rules). The Updated Rules apply to all complaints received after October 19, 2022. The Updated Rules also apply to complaints entering the next stage in the Commission’s complaint process after October 19, 2022. In this Federal…

Ontario Makes Changes to COVID-19 Requirements in Long-Term Care Homes

· 2 min read

Effective October 14, 2022, Ontario has made a number of changes to COVID-19 requirements in long-term care homes (LTC Homes), as set out in the document titled “COVID-19 guidance document for long-term care homes in Ontario.” Active screening for COVID-19 is no longer required when visitors and caregivers are entering a facility (although it remains…

Update on the Incoming Paid Medical Leave Under the Canada Labour Code

· 2 min read

Federally regulated employers should be aware that amendments to the medical leave provisions of the Canada Labour Code are set to come into force on or before December 1, 2022. As set out below, we have clarified with Employment and Social Development Canada that these provisions will apply to all federally regulated employers, not just…

Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario Determines It Has Concurrent Jurisdiction with Labour Arbitrators to Decide Human Rights Claims

· 5 min read

The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (Tribunal) has determined that it has concurrent jurisdiction to decide claims of discrimination and harassment falling within the scope of a collective agreement governed by the Labour Relations Act (LRA) and the Police Services Act (PSA). The decision addresses a significant question of law arising from the 2021 decision…

Employers Take Note: Employees Entitled to Paid Time Off to Vote in Upcoming Municipal Election

· 3 min read

Ontario-wide municipal elections will be held on Monday, October 24, 2022, and voting hours will run from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Employers should be aware that under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 (Act), all employees who are eligible to vote in the election are entitled to three consecutive hours during voting hours on election day to cast their…

Benefits After 65: Arbitrator Dismisses Grievance Challenging Age 65 LTD Cut-off but Awards Life Insurance Coverage Based on Collective Agreement

· 9 min read

An Ontario labour arbitrator has upheld a grievance challenging the reduction of life insurance coverage for employees who die after having reached age 65, finding that the relevant provision of the insurance policy had not been incorporated into the collective agreement. In the same decision, the arbitrator dismissed two policy grievances challenging the termination of…