In the Law Society of Ontario’s program designed for legal practitioners—including in-house counsel, those in private practice and paralegals—this foundational course is designed to provide a primer of the key requirements of the Employment Standards Act. Hicks Morley’s Mari Maimets joins other panelists who will cover the essentials as well as more complex issues.
Practice Area: Employment Law
Year in Review – Key Legislative Updates of 2024
Welcome to our annual review of notable legislative updates over the past year that we believe will be of interest to employers and human resources professionals.
2025 Labour Relations Seminar: An Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC) and Hicks Morley Event
In this annual labour relations seminar, we—along with Ontario fire chiefs and renowned guest speakers—will provide insight and guidance on labour relations issues currently impacting the fire service.
Congratulations to New Partners Rebecca Liu and Njeri Damali Sojourner-Campbell
We are pleased to announce that Rebecca Liu and Njeri Damali Sojourner-Campbell have joined the firm’s partnership.
The Year in Review – Notable Cases of 2024
Welcome to our annual review of notable cases over the past year that we believe will be of interest to employers and human resources professionals. We also identify some cases to watch out for in 2025. Next week, we will bring you our review of the notable legislative updates from 2024.
Navigating Change: The Essential Guide to Drafting and Reviewing Employment Agreements for Financial Services Employers
Increasing competition, the rise of remote work and a continually evolving regulatory environment means financial services employers need to stay ahead of these developments to create and maintain a positive, productive, and legally sound working relationship with their employees.
Siobhan O’Brien Quoted in Canadian HR Reporter Article About the Complex Post-Strike Recovery Process
Canadian HR Reporter interviewed Siobhan O’Brien for an article titled, “The strike is over – now what?” In this article that addresses the importance of planning, communication, and thoughtful leadership after a strike, Siobhan emphasizes that consistent communication is paramount and an audit after a strike can provide valuable insights for preventing future conflicts.
Federal Court of Appeal Upholds Mandatory Nuclear Industry Alcohol and Drug Testing Requirements for Workers in “Safety-Critical” Positions
In a significant ruling for employers in safety-sensitive industries, the Federal Court of Appeal has upheld the constitutional validity of mandatory pre-placement and random alcohol and drug testing requirements for safety-critical positions at Class I nuclear facilities. The decision in Power Workers’ Union et al v Attorney General of Canada, Ontario Power Generation, Bruce Power,…
Ontario’s Working for Workers Six Act, 2024 Receives Royal Assent
On December 19, 2024, Ontario’s Working for Workers Six Act, 2024 (Bill 229) received Royal Assent. Bill 229 amends several statutes including the Employment Standards Act, 2000, the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997. Key amendments of particular interest to employers are addressed below. Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) The following…
Ontario Court of Appeal Dismisses Appeal in Dufault, Upholds Finding That “For Cause” Language in Termination Provision Contravened ESA
In Dufault v. Ignace (Township), the Ontario Court of Appeal reinforced and applied the principle established in Waksdale v. Swegon North America Inc. (Waksdale) that, when interpreting an employment agreement, all termination provisions must be read together and the invalidity of one termination provision renders all termination provisions void and unenforceable. In rendering its decision,…