WSIB Changes Its Practice on the Payment of Loss of Earnings Benefits

Effective December 7, 2009, the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (“WSIB”) changed its operational practice of paying loss of earnings (“LOE”) benefits even when a worker is no longer in the workforce and has no loss of earnings. This change in practice followed a series of successful employer challenges argued by Hicks Morley lawyers…

Firefighters’ Presumptive Legislation Now Applies To Volunteers

Effective November 4, 2009, the Ontario Government has expanded its presumptive occupational disease coverage legislation for firefighters to volunteer and part-time firefighters and to fire inspectors. This coverage will apply on the same terms and for the same diseases, in accordance with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (“WSIA”). This change will have very significant…

WSIB Launches SIEF Pilot Project

On September 21, 2009, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (“WSIB”) launched a pilot project implementing important new changes to the way it administers its Second Injury and Enhancement Fund (“SIEF”). In this FTR Now, we discuss the new SIEF administrative process. SIEF POLICY SIEF was established to provide cost relief to employers where a…

MOL to Target Slips, Trips and Falls in a School Board Safety Blitz

The Ministry of Labour (“MOL”) has announced a series of safety blitzes scheduled for November of 2009 that will target slips, trips and falls (“Falls”), and that may affect your schools. Inspectors will visit schools to discuss Falls and to review plans to prevent Falls, particularly in parking lots [1], and will focus on assessing…

Ban on Hand-Held Devices And Display Screens Starts In October

In our FTR Now of September 24, 2009, “Cell Phone and Blackberry Restrictions For Drivers Are Coming Into Force: Is Your Workplace Ready?,” we provided you with a detailed overview of the new legislation restricting the use of hand-held mobile technology devices and presence of display screens while driving. Yesterday, the Ontario Government announced that…

School Board Update

IN THIS ISSUE 2009 Hicks Morley School Board Conference Teaching Assignments for Principals Cyberbullying Probationary Employees EA Travel Time WSIB LOE Benefits for Retirees Pay Equity Retiring Gratuities School Board Governance Grouped Classes 2009 HICKS MORLEY SCHOOL BOARD CONFERENCE – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2009 On Friday, November 20, Hicks Morley will present its 2009 School…

Hicks Morley Ranks #1 in Labour and Employment Law

Hicks Morley once again ranked #1 in Canada in the field of Labour and Employment Law in Best Lawyers® in Canada 2010. Hicks Morley has more listed lawyers (19 in total) in this field than any other firm in Canada and is also the #1 ranked firm in Ontario. Toronto John C. Field Labour and…