Hicks Morley’s Thomas Agnew authored an article in Benefits Canada titled “Employer Obligations Around Medical Pot, Benefits Plans.” In a case from February 2017, the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal confirmed that an administrator of a benefits plan can choose what specific drugs and medications will be covered by a plan. In particular, it held that the exclusion of medical cannabis…

An FTR NowM written by Hicks Morley’s Natasha D. Monkman, Paul E. Broad was mentioned in the November 26, 2018 Benefits and Pensions Monitor Daily News Alert. The alert emphasizes the implementation of variable benefits accounts described in the FTR Now titled “The Outlook is More Change: Ontario Proposes Significant Reforms to Pension and Employment-Related Statutes.“

Hicks Morley’s Jacqueline Luksha was featured on the CBC News Network with Andrew Nichols on October 17, 2018 discussing issues that employers and employees are facing in light of Wednesday’s legalization of cannabis. Questions that Jacqueline responded to in this feature include: Does legalization mean that employees are entitled to consume cannabis in the workplace? What should employers be keeping in…

The Fall 2018 issue of OMHRA’s ECHO newsletter features two articles co-authored by Hicks Morley lawyer Jessica Toldo.

In the article “Considerations for Municipal Employers When Drafting Termination Clauses in Employment Contracts,” Jessica discusses the importance of municipal employers having a clear and well-crafted termination provision to minimize the risk that a reviewing court will find the clause to be unenforceable, should litigation arise and highlight five key considerations when drafting termination clauses in light of some important developments in the case law.

The second article authored by Jessica, “HRTO Determines Requiring Proof of Eligibility to Work in Canada on a Permanent Basis is Discriminatory,” reviews a recent case where the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario found that a pre-employment ‘permanence requirement’ was discriminatory on the basis of the applicant’s citizenship.

Hicks Morley’s Jacqueline Luksha discussed the implications that the legalization of cannabis will have in the workplace on the CBC News Network with John Northcott on October 10, 2018. Jacqueline explains the obligations of both the employer and the employee, and provides tips on how employers can prepare for the October 17th legislation.

The September 17, 2018 issue of Labour Notes® newsletter features an article authored by Hicks Morley lawyer Siobhan O’Brien. In the article “Court of Appeal Outlines Key Principles On Suspending Employees With and Without Pay,” Siobhan discusses how the Ontario Court of Appeal provided valuable guidance regarding constructive dismissal, investigative suspensions of employees without pay and proper damages…