Industry: Professional & Technical Services

HRPA Peel Chapter: Navigating Workplace Legalities in COVID-19

Overview The Human Resources field is in constant change. The challenge for all Human Resource Professionals is to keep pace with the emerging knowledge and techniques in order to support the management team with accurate and timely information. Hicks Morley has partnered with the Peel  HRPA Chapter of the Human Resource Professional Association to bring…

Advantage CPD: Coping with Change – Constructive Dismissal Considerations in the Time of COVID-19

COVID-19 has impacted many aspects of our lives, including employment. In this ever-changing world, employers must respond to the terms and conditions of their employees’ employment. The extent and consequences of change requires strategies which are critical to this assessment. This program aims to provide employers with tools to mitigate risk of a constructive dismissal claim.

Ottawa, Toronto and Peel Region Now Subject to Modified Stage 2 Rules

· 8 min read

Effective October 10, 2020, Ottawa, Toronto and Peel Region are subject to the Rules for Areas in Stage 2 as modified by O. Reg. 572/20 (Modified Rules) as a result of the increase in COVID-19 cases in these areas. The Office of the Premier has advised that the Modified Rules will be in place for a minimum of 28 days and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Supreme Court Clarifies Employee Incentive Plan Entitlements During Notice Period

· 8 min read

On October 9, 2020, the Supreme Court of Canada released its decision in Matthews v. Ocean Nutrition Canada Ltd. It confirmed that where terminated employees would be entitled to a bonus or other incentive payments during the reasonable notice period, employers must use clear and unambiguous language to remove or limit their common law rights. The Supreme Court also distinguished between the obligation to provide reasonable notice of termination and a breach of the duty to exercise good faith in the manner of dismissal.

Key Changes to Ontario’s Class Proceedings Regime Now in Effect

· 4 min read

For the first time in nearly three decades, significant changes have been made to Ontario’s class proceedings regime. The amendments to the Class Proceedings Act, 1992 (Act)came into effect on October 1, 2020 and are significant in terms of their substance and scope, modifying many key provisions of the existing Act and adding nearly a dozen more.

New Version of Employment Standards Poster is Available

· 2 min read

The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development recently published a new version of the Employment Standards in Ontario poster (Version 9.0). The poster contains information relating to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) with respect to minimum wage, hours and overtime, vacation time and pay, public holidays, leaves of absence and termination notice and…

New Province-Wide Masking Requirements Now in Force; Additional Restrictions for Ottawa, Toronto and Peel Region

· 4 min read

Ontario has again revised its Rules For Areas In Stage 3 (Rules) in light of the increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases in Ontario. The new rules include a province-wide mandatory masking requirement and additional restrictions for Ottawa, Toronto and Peel Region Public Health Units (defined as the “Enhanced Measures Zone”). The changes came into force on October 3, 2020.