1146 Results

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Hicks Morley we are committed to equity and diversity. We strongly believe that embracing each of our different experiences including our cultural and racial backgrounds, gender, family status, ability and disability, sexual orientation and creed brings value to the firm as a whole.

Arbitrators Consider Whether Statutory Freeze Applies to MOU Provisions

In an award dated July 30, 2015 [1] (“CSDCEO Award”), Arbitrator Rowan held that the 97-day delay in salary grid movement for teachers, imposed in various teacher collective agreements by a centrally agreed Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”), was subject to the statutory freeze in the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (the “LRA”). Therefore, the provision could not…

School Board Management Conference

Our School Board Conference will cover a wide variety of topics relevant to Directors of Education, Trustees, Supervisory Officers and Human Resources Practitioners. We will take you first on a “whirlwind tour” of recent developments in labour, employment and education law. This will be followed by a plenary session on critical issues concerning the changing landscape in school board collective bargaining. Following a buffet lunch, we will invite you to attend two afternoon workshops of your choice.

Changes to Personal Health Information Privacy Legislation Introduced

On September 16, 2015, the Ontario government introduced Bill 119, Health Information Protection Act, 2015, which would amend the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (“PHIPA”) and repeal and replace the Quality of Care Information Protection Act, 2004 (“QCIPA”). With respect to PHIPA amendments, if passed Bill 119 would, among other things: require health custodians to…

Strategic Communications and Collective Bargaining

Agenda Collective bargaining is seen as the most important labour relations initiative a unionized employer undertakes. It is a major event that will directly and indirectly impact the success of a business. At this Advantage session attendees will learn: The legal rights and limits on employer communications How to prepare a detailed and effective negotiation…

Employer Investigations Held to Standard of Reasonableness, not Correctness or Perfection

In a recent decision, Zambito v. LIUNA Local 183, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (“Tribunal”) provided some useful guidance on internal employer investigations. It reiterated that while it is extremely important for employers to respond seriously and promptly to all allegations of discrimination and harassment, they will be not be held to a standard of…

An Update on WSIB Rate Framework Reform

In March 2015, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (“WSIB”) released a preliminary Rate Framework (“Proposed Framework”) which, if adopted, would fundamentally change the way the WSIB classifies Schedule 1 employers and sets their premium rates (see our FTR Now of April 17, 2015 “WSIB Rate Framework Reform: Stakeholder Input Invited”). At the same time,…

ORPP: Ontario Government Announces Implementation Details

Editor’s Note: Following publication of this communication, the Ontario government announced that the first wave of ORPP implementation will be delayed by one year to January 1, 2018. Please be sure to read our FTR Now of February 17, 2016 for updated information on this significant development, or contact your regular Hicks Morley lawyer for…

Ontario Government Announces ORPP Implementation Details

On August 11, 2015, the Ontario government released new details about the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (“ORPP”) and its implementation. As previously reported, the ORPP was announced in the 2014 Ontario Budget. A consultation paper entitled “Ontario Retirement Pension Plan: Key Design Questions” was released in December, 2014 for public comment. In particular, the paper…