Employers in Ontario should pay careful attention to the proposed Employment Accessibility Standard (the “Standard”) under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (the “AODA”) released for public comment in February 2009. If approved in its present form, the proposed Standard will transform how employers deal with employees and potential employees in all phases…
Practice Area: Human Rights
2009 Winter issue
FOCUS ON WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY Use WSIB experience rating to achieve positive outcomes for your organization LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS Investigations in the workplace: proceed, but with care Responding to difficult economic times PROFILE Safety first Download PDF
What Educational Organizations And Regulatory Bodies Need To Know About Proposed AODA Standard
In late 2008, a proposed new standard under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (the “AODA”) was released for public comment. The proposed Accessible Information and Communications Standard (the “Standard”) addresses all manner of conveyance of information and communications, whether orally, in print or electronic, and will impose a variety of requirements and…
Proposed “Accessible Information And Communications Standard” Under The AODA
In late 2008, a proposed new standard under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (the “AODA”) was released for public comment. The standard relates to accessible information and communications, and if approved in its present form, will have a significant impact on employers and most organizations in Ontario. BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE AODA…
Human Rights Tribunal Upholds Mandatory Retirement at Age 60 for Firefighters
In an important decision issued December 18, 2008, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario has upheld a provision in a Collective Agreement which requires mandatory retirement at age 60 for firefighters. In the City of London decision, Adjudicator David A. Wright found that while the provision was prima facie discriminatory, it could be reasonably justified…
2008 Fall issue
FOCUS ON HUMAN RIGHTS Human rights issues: Expanding across the labour and employment spectrum LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS Boundaries of religious accommodation better defined Little car, big fear: When is a disability a disability? PROFILE The rights stuff Download PDF
School Board Update
IN THIS ISSUE Hicks Morley Negotiation Support Services Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario Defers to Special Education Tribunal Occasional Teacher Timetables Duties of Principals Burden of Proof in Discharge Cases Accommodation of Religious Holidays TPA Arbitration and Motion for Non-Suit School Security and Office Staff HICKS MORLEY NEGOTIATION SUPPORT SERVICES Did you know that more…
Religious Accommodation: Tribunal Finds Two Paid Days of Religious Leave Not Required
INTRODUCTION On September 3, 2008, Vice-Chair Sherry Liang of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario issued a very helpful decision in Markovic v. Autocom Manufacturing Ltd., 2008 HRTO 64. The Autocom decision provides some much-needed clarification concerning the accommodation of religious observances. Of particular interest, the Tribunal rejected the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s long-held policy…
More Information on Family Status Accommodation
As many of you will know, we are currently presenting a series of client conferences across the province. One of the human rights issues we have been featuring in our conferences is the accommodation of family status. We have received some requests from attendees for case citations for some of the decisions referenced in our…
OHRC Draft Policy on Mental Health Discrimination and Police Record Checks
In February 2008, the Ontario Human Rights Commission released a Draft Policy on Mental Health Discrimination and Police Records Check for public consultation. The draft Policy is aimed at addressing concerns that the requirements, policies and practices relating to police record checks can have a discriminatory impact on persons with mental health-related disabilities and those…