It is critical for employers in the unionized context to remember that when creating policies or workplace rules as an exercise of management rights, the rule must constitute a reasonable “balancing of interests” and must be consistent with the collective agreement. In Association of Justice Counsel v. Canada (Attorney General), the Supreme Court of Canada…
Practice Area: Labour Relations
FTR Quarterly – Issue 7
In This Issue Extended EI Benefits – Top 3 Ways Your Workplace Could be Affected FTRQ&A – Chronic Mental Stress Pension Plan Funding Reform: At the Precipice Pension, Benefits & Executive Compensation Featured Articles Extended EI Benefits – Top 3 Ways Your Workplace Could be Affected By: Henry Dinsdale A number of recent changes to the…
Federal Government Introduces Changes to Canada Labour Code
On October 27, 2017, the federal government introduced Bill C-63, Budget Implementation Act, 2017, No. 2, its second budget implementation bill relating to Budget 2017. Budget implementation bills are a means for the government to follow through with the legislative changes required to bring budget commitments into effect. In addition to changes to the Income…
New Public Hearing Dates for Bill 148 Consultation Announced for Next Week (Note 5 p.m. Deadline Today)
On October 26, 2017, the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs (Committee) announced that it intends to hold another round of public hearings in Toronto with respect to Bill 148 next week. Please note the deadline of today at 5:00 p.m. to notify the Committee of an intention to participate in the hearings next…
Ontario Consulting on ESA Exemptions
On October 18, 2017, the Ontario government announced that it would be conducting consultations on a range of exemptions under the Employment Standards Act, 2000, including key exemptions that apply to managers and supervisors, as well as to IT professionals. Submissions are due by December 1st, and employers should consider whether to participate in this important undertaking that could significantly impact your operations.
Ontario Seeking Input on Occupations Exempted Under ESA
As part of Ontario’s review of workplace laws, the government has announced that it is reviewing the special rules and exemptions under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA). It is seeking public input on the following occupations currently exempted: Architects Domestic Workers, Homemakers and Residential Care Workers IT Professionals Managerial and Supervisory Employees Pharmacists Residential…
Bill 148 Passes Second Reading, Ordered (Back) to Committee for Further Review
On October 18, 2017, Bill 148, Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017 (Bill 148), as amended by the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, passed Second Reading after debate and was referred back to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs for further review. Read the government’s announcement here. We will continue to…
Medical Marijuana in the Workplace [Video]
With an increasing number of employees receiving prescriptions for medical marijuana to treat various ailments, employers and service providers are grappling with how to respond. In this video, Jacqueline Luksha discusses the implications of medical marijuana in the workplace and at places of business, touching on the duties of employers and service providers to accommodate medical marijuana’s use while ensuring a safe work environment. To assist employers and service providers, she provides some best practices on how to meet those obligations.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Settlements [Video]
Everything a municipality always wanted to know about Emergency Medical Services (EMS) settlements… and more. Watch this video featuring Mark Mason for an overview of current information you, as an employer, should be aware of in reaching settlements with your EMS staff, including percentage increases in recent settlements, current trends, the differences across jurisdictions, hourly rates and comparators.
Appellate Court Issues Favourable Decision for Suncor on its Random Drug and Alcohol Policy
The legal saga on the issue of random drug and alcohol testing of employees continues. In Suncor Energy Inc v Unifor Local 707A, the Alberta Court of Appeal sent the issue of whether Suncor’s random drug and alcohol testing policy violated the privacy rights of its unionized workers back to a new arbitration hearing before…