The Ontario provincial election will be held on February 27, 2025. Under the Ontario Election Act (Act), eligible employees are entitled to three consecutive hours during voting hours to cast their vote. In some circumstances, this may require employers to provide certain employees with paid time off to vote.
Industry: Mining & Natural Resources
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.
WSIB Claims Management – A Detailed Overview of the Life of a Claim
Managing WSIB claims has become increasingly complex. Many issues are impacting employers’ WSIB claims costs, including unsuccessful return-to-work efforts, complicated injuries, psychological conditions, pre-existing conditions, and a lack of monitoring and progress. This workshop will provide a detailed overview of the life of a WSIB claim, along with strategies to better manage these challenging issues.
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…
Ontario Court of Appeal Dismisses Appeal in Dufault, Upholds Finding That “For Cause” Language in Termination Provision Contravened ESA
In Dufault v. Ignace (Township), the Ontario Court of Appeal reinforced and applied the principle established in Waksdale v. Swegon North America Inc. (Waksdale) that, when interpreting an employment agreement, all termination provisions must be read together and the invalidity of one termination provision renders all termination provisions void and unenforceable. In rendering its decision,…
Highlights from the Federal Government’s 2024 Fall Economic Statement
On December 16, 2024, the federal government issued its 2024 Fall Economic Statement. The Statement covers a wide array of initiatives including several proposals that, if they were to be implemented, will be of interest to employers, human resources professionals and pension plan administrators. Early Retirement Benefits in the Public Service The government has proposed…
The Growing Your Workforce Conference
This year’s Growing Your Workforce Conference, hosted by Workforce WindsorEssex, focuses on addressing workforce development challenges and opportunities across Southwestern Ontario. It is an event where ideas are exchanged, best practices are shared, and solutions are crafted to address the pressing issues facing workforces, talent pipelines and local labour markets.
Accommodating Mental Health in the Workplace: Advanced Accommodation Principles
Managing mental health issues in the workplace poses a considerable challenge to employers, who are often required to navigate difficult questions around employee privacy, employment preferences, and workplace rules and expectations with the duty to accommodate.
Workplace Investigation Training Workshop: Applying What You Know (Part 2)
This session will begin with a brief overview of workplace investigation best practices. We will then turn our attention to an interactive exercise in which attendees will have the opportunity to use what they learned in Part 1 to develop and hone their skills.
Workplace Investigation Training Workshop: Investigation Fundamentals and Best Practices (Part 1)
The session will include instructional components, video demonstrations and discussion regarding strategies to deal with issues that can arise when conducting investigations. Attendees will receive a detailed digital manual entitled, “Hicks Morley’s Guide to Conducting Investigations into Workplace Complaints.”