Today – April 20 (4/20) – marks cannabis culture’s unofficial day of celebration, and we thought “weed” mark the occasion by answering a few common employer questions. When do I have to accommodate medical marijuana? While employers have no obligation to permit recreational consumption of marijuana at work or tolerate impairment, they must appropriately accommodate…
Insights
Hicks Morley publishes a number of materials, both electronic and print, on issue-specific and sector-specific topics of interest to our clients. Our insights section has links to all of our various publications, updates and blogs, both current and historical, to keep you informed of developments in the law that impact human resources.
Human Resources Legislative Update
Ontario Announces Health, Safety and Employment Standards Blitzes
The Ontario government has announced that it will be conducting more than 24 health, safety and employment standards inspection blitzes in 2018-2019 targeted at certain sectors in Ontario, with a view to ensuring statutory compliance. A number of workplaces will be visited, including those in the retail, manufacturing, construction and health care sectors, as well…
Case In Point
Court Finds Emails Between Management and HR Department Not Privileged
A Master of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice recently rejected an employer’s assertion that emails between management and its Human Resources (HR) department were privileged and therefore not subject to disclosure in a constructive dismissal action. He stated that if “management seeks confidentiality in dealing with an employee, it should consult with counsel and…
Human Resources Legislative Update
PIPEDA Breach of Security Safeguards Regulations Published
Beginning November 1, 2018, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) will require private sector organizations to provide notice to affected individuals and the federal Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) when a security incident involving personal information results in a “real risk of significant harm.” The supporting regulations, Breach of Security Safeguards…
FTR Now
Pension Funding Reform Continues: Taking Aim at Target Benefit Multi-Employer Pension Plans
Pension plans that meet the definition of specified Ontario multi-employer pension plans (SOMEPPs) are one step closer to having the option to convert accrued defined benefits (DB) to target benefits (TB) – and one step closer to a permanent exemption from solvency funding. If your organization participates in a SOMEPP, find out what this could mean for your organization in this FTR Now.
Human Resources Legislative Update
Mandatory Breach Notification Comes to Canada: What To Do About It
It’s been a long time coming, but we finally know that mandatory breach notification is coming to Canada. Beginning November 1, 2018, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) will require notification to affected individuals and the federal Privacy Commissioner when a security incident involving personal information results in a “real risk of significant…
Human Resources Legislative Update
Bill Requiring Diversity Disclosure by Federal Corporations Passes Third Reading in Senate
Diversity on corporate boards has been widely discussed in recent years. On March 22, 2018, Bill C-25, An Act to amend the Canada Business Corporations Act, the Canada Cooperatives Act, the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act, and the Competition Act, passed its third reading in the Senate. Part 1 of Bill C-25 imposes obligations on federal…
Human Resources Legislative Update
Regulations Filed Supporting Discharge of Pension Plan Administrator Upon Purchase of Annuities
On April 3, 2018, the government filed O. Reg. 193/18 (Purchase of Pension Benefits From an Insurance Company – Section 43.1 of the Act) under the Pension Benefits Act (PBA), which complements the recent funding reforms announced for defined benefit pension (DB) plans (the Regulation). As previously discussed, the government proposed rules to support a discharge…
FTR Now
Bill 148 and Collective Bargaining in the Social Services Sector
Many Social Services agencies across Ontario are currently in collective bargaining, or will be shortly. With key Bill 148 amendments to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA), the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (LRA) and the Occupational Health and Safety Act now in force, planning your strategic approach is essential to achieving outcomes that will work for your organization, and support your mandate. Learn how you can prepare for the bargaining table in this FTR Now..
FTR Now
Ontario Budget 2018
On March 28, 2018, the Ontario government tabled its 2018 Budget, A Plan for Care and Opportunity and introduced Bill 31, the Plan for Care and Opportunity Act (Budget Measures), 2018. The Budget outlines key initiatives around retirement security and pension reform, healthcare, education, further initiatives to specifically address gender equality issues, representation of women, and more…