1148 Results

(Yet Another) Ambiguous “ESA-only” Termination Provision Unenforceable

Another “ESA-only” termination provision in an employment contract has been found unenforceable by the Ontario Superior Court. In Howard v Benson Group, the Court decided that the termination provision providing only Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”) minimum entitlements was ambiguous; therefore, the common law applied and the plaintiff was entitled to reasonable notice of termination….

New ESA Compliance Obligations in Force May 20, 2015

Effective May 20, 2015, amendments to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA“) compliance obligations will come into force. These include new poster requirements and new powers for employment standards officers to order employer “self-audits.” In this FTR Now, we will review the new rules, and the impact that they will have on employers in Ontario….

WSIB Rate Framework Reform: Stakeholder Input Invited

On March 31, 2015, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (“WSIB”) released a number of discussion papers which propose a preliminary Rate Framework which, if adopted, would fundamentally change the way the WSIB classifies Schedule 1 employers and sets its premium rates. Under the proposal, the Secondary Injury and Enhancement Fund (“SIEF”) and existing experience…

Hot Topics In Labour Relations

Materials Hot Topics in Labour Relations – PowerPoint Slides Client Toolkit: Employee Discipline for Off-Duty Social Media Comments Agenda In this presentation, 5 members of the firm will take you through a range of developments this past year in labour relations case law, professionalism and legislative reform including: The impact of the Supreme Court of…

Hicks Morley Congratulates Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for 2015

We would like to extend a very special congratulations to all the employers and in particular our many clients who made the list of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for 2015. Now entering its ninth year, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers recognizes employers across Canada that have exceptional workplace diversity and inclusiveness programs. This competition recognizes successful…

Federal Court: Unjust Dismissal Complaint for Without Cause Termination Requires Evidentiary Hearing

In a recent decision, Sigloy v. DHL Express (Canada) Ltd., the Federal Court overturned the decision of an adjudicator which had granted an employer’s preliminary objection and dismissed a complaint of unjust dismissal for lack of jurisdiction because the complainant had been dismissed without cause. At the adjudication, the employer objected to the unjust dismissal…

Ontario Minimum Wage Increasing to $11.25 on October 1, 2015

On March 19, 2015, the Ontario government announced that the general minimum wage will increase from $11 to $11.25 per hour, effective October 1, 2015. A list of the new minimum wage rates for students, liquor servers, hunting and fishing guides and homeworkers is available on the Ministry of Labour’s website. Background information on the…

Supreme Court of Canada On Pregnancy and Parental Leave Top-Ups

The Supreme Court of Canada recently upheld a decision of a British Columbia arbitrator which had found that denying birth mothers entitlement to parental supplemental employment (“SEB” or “top-up”) benefits where they had received pregnancy SEB plan benefits was discriminatory. The issue before the arbitrator turned on an interpretation of the collective agreement in place…

Ontario Releases Action Plan to Stop Sexual Violence and Harassment

On March 6, 2015, the Ontario government published It’s Never Okay: An Action Plan to Stop Sexual Violence and Harassment, a targeted action plan (“Plan”) to address sexual violence and harassment in Ontario, in part through significant legislative reforms and sector-specific training initiatives. Among other things, the Plan will target sexual violence and harassment in…

Ontario to Consult on Labour and Employment Reform

On February 17, 2015, the Ontario government announced the launch of public consultations to consider reforms to the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (“LRA”) and the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”) in light of the “changing nature of the modern workplace.” In this FTR Now, we highlight key issues that will be under review, and how…