Workplace Secrets and Stealing Clients? Understanding Non-Solicitation and Confidentiality Clauses in Severance Packages So, your employer informed you that it decided to terminate your employment and, to resolve a wrongful dismissal claim, offered you a hefty severance package. While the cash
Ontario Court Finds Employee Was Wrongfully Dismissed (Not an Independent Contractor)
A thorny issue in the area of employment law involves determining whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor. What's the big deal, you ask? Well, for employment lawyers in Ontario, this issue is often difficult to discern and massive consequences, for both workers themselves and
What Should Employers Know about Recent Changes to the Canada Competition Act?
Earlier this year, Canada passed a new law that makes important amendments to the Competition Act. The Competition Act applies to all companies doing business across Canada, regardless of whether they are provincially regulated or federally regulated. Some of the most changes to the Competition
Ontario Human Rights Complaints – HRTO or Union Grievance
In a recent decision, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) held that it has concurrent jurisdiction to resolve complaints of discrimination and harassment that arise in a unionized workplace, even if they otherwise fall within the scope of a collective bargaining agreement ("CBA") governed by
Are You an Employer in Ontario? Find Out Why Employment Contracts Are Your Best Friend
For any business, having procedures in place to ensure cost-effective operations is obvious. However, one important area many companies overlook involves how they manage their workforce - specifically, having an employment contract in place. The most important reason for employers to have an
Vulnerable Temporary Foreign Workers in Ontario – Workplace Harassment and Abuse
Across Canada, many companies who suffer from work shortages turn to hiring foreign workers as a means to address their labour needs. To do that, these companies rely on the federal government's Temporary Foreign Worker Program, which is overseen by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and
What Ontario Should Know Employers Electronic Monitoring Policies
One of the outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic was the accelerated trend toward remote working arrangements, where many employees work exclusively (or partly from home). This has led to a sea change in the labour landscape and employees' rights and responsibilities, where most companies' policies (and
What’s the Purpose of a Probation Period in an Employment Agreement?
Probation Periods in Employment Agreements As an employment lawyer, I regularly assist employees across Ontario in reviewing and negotiating employment agreements (sometimes called "employment contracts"), including when it comes to a probation period. One of the best decisions any employee can