Requests for accommodation based on an individual’s religious beliefs, gender identity and/or gender expression can present unique challenges. How you respond to these types of requests can mean the difference between a finding that suitable accommodations were offered and one that exposes your organization to significant liability. Join us for a webinar that addresses the legal obligations and best practices to keep in mind as it relates to religious accommodation, gender identity and gender expression.
Industry: Professional & Technical Services
Family Status Accommodation Requests
Requests for family status accommodation have become increasingly common in recent years, and in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, these types of requests are only expected to increase. Whether an employee requests accommodation due to the need to supervise their child during the day, provide increased support for an elderly parent, or care for a family member who has contracted the virus, it is critical that the employer respond in a manner consistent with the current state of the law on family status accommodation. Join us for a webinar that addresses the legal obligations and best practices to keep in mind when engaging in the accommodation process, both during the pandemic and beyond.
Advanced Accommodation Principles: Disability Management Training Workshop
Knowing how to manage the accommodation process related to an individual’s code-defined disability can be a day-to-day challenge for employers and service providers alike. Join us as we discuss the legal obligations and best practices to keep in mind as they relate to disability management.
Ontario Announces Further Extension of Paid and Deemed Infectious Disease Emergency Leaves
On December 7, 2021, the Ontario government announced that it would be extending the program that provides eligible employees with up to three days of paid infectious disease emergency leave (Paid IDEL) until July 31, 2022 (previously set to expire December 31, 2021). The government also announced that it would be extending the temporary relief…
Bill 27, Working for Workers Act, Receives Royal Assent
On December 2, 2021, Bill 27, Working for Workers Act, 2021, received Royal Assent. We reviewed Bill 27 in detail in our FTR Now of October 26, 2021, Ontario Proposes Significant Changes to ESA and Other Employment-Related Legislation, as well as our FTR Now of December 1, 2021, Ontario Passes Bill 27, Working for Workers…
Federal Government Announces COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Federally Regulated Workplaces
On December 7, 2021, the federal government announced that it will propose regulations under Part II of the Canada Labour Code to make vaccination against COVID-19 mandatory in all federally regulated workplaces. The government stated that it will be consulting with key stakeholders on these new regulations, which it anticipates will come into force in…
Ontario Passes Bill 27, Working for Workers Act, As Amended at Committee
On November 30, 2021, the Ontario government passed Bill 27, Working for Workers Act, 2021.
The Bill will amend a number of statutes, including the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA), the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997….
Arbitrator Finds Mandatory Vaccination Policy to be Unreasonable
In this FTR Now, we review the arbitration award issued on November 11, 2021 by Arbitrator John Stout in Electrical Safety Authority and Power Workers’ Union, in which he assessed the reasonableness of an employer’s mandatory vaccination policy. In the specific context of the workplace, and its associated workplace dangers and hazards arising from COVID-19…
Ontario Introduces Legislation to Protect Pension Plan Whistle-blowers
On November 4, 2021, the Ontario government introduced Bill 43, Build Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2021 (Bill 43) for first reading. Among other things, Bill 43 includes proposed amendments to the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario Act, 2016 (FSRA Act) to include protections for whistle-blowers in the pension sector and the other sectors regulated…
Supreme Court of Canada Concludes Arbitrators Can Have Exclusive Jurisdiction Over Human Rights Claims
In Northern Regional Health Authority v. Horrocks, the Supreme Court of Canada held that the Manitoba Human Rights Commission (Commission) did not hold concurrent jurisdiction over a human rights dispute involving a unionized workplace. Rather, a labour arbitrator held exclusive jurisdiction over the dispute. In this FTR Now, we provide a summary of Horrocks…