The Ontario Human Rights Code protects employees from discrimination in employment on the basis of disability and requires that employers accommodate employees to the point of undue hardship. Last year the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario had the opportunity to consider a case of alleged discrimination in employment on the basis of disability and failure […]
Group Benefits & Age Discrimination: Grand Erie School Board
While not required by law, extended health benefits are a fairly common benefit provided by employers to their employees. Group health benefits typically include health and dental coverage, prescription drug, and life insurance. However, not all policies are created, or delivered, equally. In 2006, the Ontario Human Rights Code (“Code”) was amended to prohibit mandatory […]
Understanding Severance Pay: The Impact of Business Sales and Contracts on years of service calculation
Ariss v NORR Limited Architects & Engineers, 2019 ONCA 449 is recent decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal regarding the effect a sale of a business and numerous employment contracts have on an employee’s years of service for the purpose of calculating the notice period at termination of employment. Ariss, the plaintiff, was a […]
Understanding Employment Contracts: Decisions and Consequences After Resignation
Employment Contracts in Canada: Key Legal Decisions Last year, the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled on the issue of a dismissed employee’s length of service for the purpose of calculating reasonable notice in a situation where that employee signed several successive employment contracts in Canada with her employer over the course of nearly 20 years […]
Understanding Workplace Harassment: Investigative Obligations and Legal Standards
Employers in Ontario have numerous obligations when it comes to establishing and maintaining a safe and healthy workplace. These concurrent obligations flow from a variety of sources: Ontario’s Human Rights Code, Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), and the common law. Throughout these Acts and laws, employers have certain obligations and one such obligation is […]
Aggravated & Punitive Damages for Termination of Employment
In most wrongful dismissal cases, while the Courts recognize that termination has a significant impact on an employee’s well-being, employers are permitted to terminate employees without attracting aggravated or punitive damages. However, employees may be entitled to these additional damages where the employer engages in misconduct or bad faith during the termination process. Ruston v. […]