Cause Termination Upheld Where Employee Found to Have Installed Spyware on Employer’s Computer

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice recently upheld a cause termination where an employee was found to have installed spyware onto his employer’s computer. The Court also considered the availability of the “after-acquired cause” defence In Sankreacha v. Cameron J. and Beach Sales Ltd., the plaintiff’s employment as a service advisor in the automotive department…

OMHRA Fall ECHO Newsletter Features Two Articles by Jessica Toldo

The Fall 2018 issue of OMHRA’s ECHO newsletter features two articles co-authored by Hicks Morley lawyer Jessica Toldo.

In the article “Considerations for Municipal Employers When Drafting Termination Clauses in Employment Contracts,” Jessica discusses the importance of municipal employers having a clear and well-crafted termination provision to minimize the risk that a reviewing court will find the clause to be unenforceable, should litigation arise and highlight five key considerations when drafting termination clauses in light of some important developments in the case law.

The second article authored by Jessica, “HRTO Determines Requiring Proof of Eligibility to Work in Canada on a Permanent Basis is Discriminatory,” reviews a recent case where the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario found that a pre-employment ‘permanence requirement’ was discriminatory on the basis of the applicant’s citizenship.

Court of Appeal Upholds Cause Dismissal for Breach of Fiduciary Duty

In the case of Dunsmuir v. Royal Group, Inc., the Ontario Court of Appeal recently upheld the cause termination of a Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of a publicly-traded company for breach of fiduciary duty. The employee had commenced a claim against the employer for wrongful dismissal and sought approximately $6.6 million in damages….

Labour Notes® Newsletter Features Article by Siobhan O’Brien on Suspending Employees With and Without Pay

The September 17, 2018 issue of Labour Notes® newsletter features an article authored by Hicks Morley lawyer Siobhan O’Brien. In the article “Court of Appeal Outlines Key Principles On Suspending Employees With and Without Pay,” Siobhan discusses how the Ontario Court of Appeal provided valuable guidance regarding constructive dismissal, investigative suspensions of employees without pay and proper damages…

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…

Workplace Law in Canada: A Primer

This Guide provides American employers with an introduction to employment laws and regulations that affect businesses in Canada. It outlines an overview of the main differences between Canadian and U.S. workplace laws.

Ontario Court Declines to Consider Wrongful Dismissal Action Where Ontario Resident Worked in Michigan

In its recent decision in Koutros v Persico USA Inc., the Ontario Superior Court of Justice set aside the service of a Statement of Claim and stayed an action on the basis that Michigan (not Ontario) was the appropriate jurisdiction in which to dispute the termination of an employment contract. The plaintiff lived near Windsor…

Don’t Rush to Summary Judgment!

The Court of Appeal has overturned a decision by a motion judge which allowed the plaintiffs’ wrongful dismissal actions to be decided by way of summary judgment motion. In Singh v. Concept Plastics Limited, the two plaintiffs were long-term former employees of Concept Plastics. Both brought motions to resolve their actions by way of summary…