With numerous businesses closing or modifying operations to curb the rapid spread of COVID-19, legal departments are facing a host of new challenges. Organizations are struggling to continue serving customers and support employees, many of whom are now working remotely.
Practice Area: Employment Law
Stephen Shamie Featured in a Queen’s Law Article on Delivering Legal Services During COVID Crisis
Hicks Morley’s Stephen Shamie was featured by Queen’s Law as an alumnus in an article titled “Delivering Legal Services During COVID Crisis.” In the article Stephen describes Hicks Morley’s thought leadership and ability to pivot the firm’s operations amid the COVID-19 pandemic to protect its members, clients and the community through leveraging digital applications to continue to provide consistent legal services while working remotely.
New Long-Term Care Homes Emergency Order Issued
On Friday, March 27, 2020, the Ontario government issued a second Emergency Order to specifically address the Long-Term Care Homes sector (O. Reg 95/20: Streamlining Requirements for Long-Term Care Homes).
New Canada Emergency Response Benefit and Tax Relief Measures
Bill C-13, COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, received Royal Assent on March 25, 2020 after swift passage by Parliament and the Senate. This federal legislation implements the income support and other fiscal measures announced by the federal government on March 18, 2020.
New Leave Relating to COVID-19 under Canada Labour Code
On March 25, 2020, the federal government passed Bill C-13, COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, which contains various fiscal and other measures designed to deal expeditiously with the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. Included among these measures is an amendment to the Canada Labour Code (Code) which provides an unpaid leave of up to 16 weeks for employees who are unable or unavailable to work for reasons related to COVID-19. The COVID-19 Leave came into force on March 25, 2020.
CHRT Seeks Feedback on Rules of Procedure to be Developed Under New Pay Equity Act
The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) is seeking feedback on specific questions related to the development of the Rules of Procedure under the federal Pay Equity Act (Act), which is expected to come into force sometime in 2020.
COVID-19 and Long-Term Care – Ontario Takes Significant Steps to Address Staffing Concerns
On Monday, March 23, 2020, the Ontario government issued an Emergency Order granting Ontario Health Service Providers broad authority to take all reasonable steps necessary to staff as needed to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. The government has now taken two significant steps to grant similar authority to Long-Term Care home providers and Municipal Homes for the Aged to address the staffing issues which may arise due to the emerging pandemic.
Ontario’s Announcement about Closure of Non-Essential Businesses: Questions and Answers for Employers
On March 23, 2020 Premier Doug Ford announced that effective 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, all non-essential businesses will be ordered to close for 14 days, and possibly longer. This order is made further to the emergency declared on March 17, 2020 under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. Here is what employers need to consider now.
Hicks Morley Office Changes as of March 16, 2020
Hicks Morley continues to monitor changes to the COVID-19 situation. Our priority has been and continues to be our firm members, our clients and the community. We are making efforts to do our part to reduce the risk and effective immediately, we will continue to have lawyers and staff onsite but most of our lawyers…
Hicks Morley’s Response to COVID-19
All of our offices are presently open for business. As recognized leaders in the areas of employment and labour law, Hicks Morley is well-positioned to assist you in your compliance obligations, developing contingency plans and managing the health and safety of your workforce. We have developed a dedicated webpage as a resource regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) to assist employers in navigating the potential impact this pandemic may have on your workplace.