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.

Ontario Court of Justice Dismisses OHSA Charges Where Worker’s Unauthorized Act Led to Injury

In a recent decision, R. v. ABS Machining Inc., the Ontario Court of Justice dismissed Occupational Health and Safety Act (“OHSA”) charges against an employer where the injured worker’s unexpected and unauthorized act led to his injury. The decision confirms that employers can succeed in defending charges on the basis of due diligence when workers…

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,…

Federal Court Confirms “Family Status” Applies to Mother-in-Law

In Canada (Attorney-General) v. Hicks, the Federal Court held that the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (“CHRT”) did not err when it found that Human Resources and Services Development Canada (“HRSDC”) discriminated against Mr. Hicks in refusing to approve expenses associated with maintaining temporary dual residences after a relocation from Halifax to Ottawa. After Mr. Hicks…

Significant Damages Awarded Against Employer for Sexual Harassment of Temporary Foreign Workers

In a recent decision of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (the “Tribunal”), Vice-Chair Mark Hart imposed a significant damages award against corporate respondent Presteve Foods Ltd. and its directing mind, Jose Pratas (“the personal respondent”). In O.P.T. v. Presteve Foods Ltd., two Applicants, O.P.T. and M.P.T., alleged that the personal respondent had engaged in…

Federal Post – First Edition

Dear Friends, We are excited to bring to you our first edition of the Federal Post, a newsletter designed exclusively for federally regulated employers. The Federal Post discusses issues that are topical, timely and important. It will cover the gamut of matters which impact your workplace, from human rights to minimum standards to labour relations…

Changes to the Employment Standards Act: What You Need to Know

  Materials Agenda Workplace laws are changing at a rapid pace. This Advantage session deals with recent changes to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA“) you need to know about. Amendments in force May 20, 2015 authorize Ministry of Labour employment standards officers to require employers to “self-audit” on whether they are compliant with the…

Courts Differ on Termination Provisions and Need for Future Compliance with ESA

Over the last few years, courts have been reluctant to enforce different “ESA only” termination provisions due to ambiguity. However, not all judges have taken the same position with respect to what constitutes an ambiguous termination provision. The following two cases offer differing views on termination provisions in employment contracts and future compliance with the…

Ontario Government to Amend Workplace Laws

On May 28, 2015, the Ontario government introduced Bill 109, the Employment and Labour Statute Law Amendment Act, 2015, proposed legislation intended to effect a number of changes to workplace laws, including: the labour relations provisions of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 ("FPPA"); the Public Sector Labour Relations Transition Act, 1997 ("PSLRTA"); and…