The Divisional Court has affirmed that an employer is not liable for defamation where a candid and truthful reference about a former employee has been provided. In Papp v Stokes et al, the plaintiff had sued his former employer (Stokes Economic Consulting) and its President (Ernest Stokes) for defamation, wrongful dismissal, punitive, exemplary and aggravated…
Tag: Reference Checks
FTR Quarterly – Issue 6
In This Issue Gender Identity and Gender Expression: Best Practices for Employers and Service Providers FTRQ&A – Bill C-45, the Cannabis Act Quick Hit – Changing Workplaces Review: A Bill 148 Timeline The Dos & Don’ts of Employment Reference Letters: Best Practices for Employers Featured Lawyer – Simon Mortimer Featured Group – Pay Equity Featured Articles…
Benefits Canada Publishes an Article by Thomas Agnew on the Employer Right to Provide Truthful, Candid Reference for Former Employee
Hicks Morley’s Thomas Agnew authored an article in Benefits Canada titled “Court affirms employer right to provide truthful, candid reference for former employee.” The article discusses how employers are not liable defamation when it provided a truthful – but negative – reference about a former employee…
The Truth Hurts: Employer Not Liable In Defamation For Bad Reference Because It Was True
The Ontario Superior Court has affirmed that employers are not liable for defamation when they provide candid and truthful references about former employees. In Papp v Stokes et al, 2017 ONSC 2357, the plaintiff, Adam Papp, worked as an economist for Stokes Economic Consulting for 2.5 years when his employment was terminated without cause in…
Insight Conference: Risk Management in the Workplace
Topic A Fine Balance: Minimizing Risks of Negligent Hiring vs. Employee Privacy and Human Rights