Court Upholds ESA-Only Termination Clause Which Did Not Expressly Mention Benefits

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice recently upheld a termination clause in an employment contract which limited entitlements upon termination to the minimum available under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) but which did not make explicit reference to the continuation of benefits during the statutory notice period. In Burton v. Aronovitch McCauley Rollo LLP,…

Hicks Morley Lawyers Recognized in Best Lawyers in Canada 2019

Hicks Morley congratulates 27 of our lawyers for being recognized in Best Lawyers in Canada 2019 in the areas of Labour and Employment Law, Employee Benefits Law, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Privacy and Data Security Law and Workers’ Compensation Law.

Court of Appeal Outlines Key Principles On Suspending Employees With and Without Pay

In Filice v. Complex Services, the Ontario Court of Appeal provided valuable guidance regarding constructive dismissal, investigative suspensions of employees without pay and proper damages assessments. The plaintiff/respondent in appeal was employed by Complex Services (the defendant/appellant) as a Security Shift Supervisor at Casino Niagara and Fallsview Casino. All employees in the Casino’s Security Department…

Court Holds Judicial Review Not Available in Broader Public Sector Compensation Restraint Challenge

The Divisional Court recently issued an important decision, Association of Professors of the University of Ottawa v. University of Ottawa, with respect to the ability of a union to challenge a university’s determination of compensation payable to its non-unionized employees on the basis that the determination is contrary to the Broader Public Sector Accountability Act,…

Appeal Court Rules on Termination Clauses and Proper “Failsafe” Language

The differing interpretations by the courts of employment contract provisions which limit entitlements upon termination has caused considerable confusion of late. The Ontario Court of Appeal has rendered a helpful decision which may serve to lessen some of the confusion. The Court reversed a lower court decision and found that a clause in an employment…