In my last blog posts (here and here), I discussed the emerging importance of coworking spaces in the post-industrial workforce and some of the risks around data security and privacy. In this part three of the series, I set out some of the employment law issues related to human interactions in coworking spaces: booze, sexual harassment and discrimination.Continue Reading Coworking Part 3: Interpersonal Employment Law Risks
Disability
2014 AODA Requirements for Large Private Employers
By Lisa Stam on
Posted in AODA, Disability
On January 1, 2014, private sector employers with 50 or more employees in Ontario face the next round of compliance requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with a Disability Act, 2005 (“AODA”).
Most organizations have already complied with the AODA Customer Service Regulation. The AODA Integrated Accessibility Regulation (“IAR”) sets out the followings requirements…
When Does Racism Amount to a Poisoned Workplace?
By Lisa Stam on
Does racism necessarily lead to a poisoned workplace?
At the end of last month, the Ontario Court of Appeal concluded in General Motors of Canada Limited v Yohann Johnson that while the former employee, Johnson, “genuinely believed that he had been the victim of racism in his workplace” and that his “perception of events unfortunately…
Can You Discriminate Against a Volunteer?
By Lisa Stam on
The Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with a Disability set out the rights and obligations regarding employees, but what about volunteers? A reader of this blog (thanks Angie!) has asked about the application of these laws when recruiting volunteers. Human rights codes across Canada work largely the same on this issue,…
Who Enforces AODA Standards?
By Lisa Stam on
I have questioned the teeth of the Accessibility of Ontarians with a Disability Act (“AODA”) in my past blog post, Where’s the Teeth?.
While the fines for non-compliance are huge (up to $100,000 per day – see section 83 of AODA Reg 191/11), the regime relies on the Ministry of Community and Social …
New AODA Public Space Standards
By Lisa Stam on
Posted in AODA, Disability
The Ontario provincial government just released proposed regulations for the accessibility of the built environment. The standard introduces various amendments to AODA’s Integrated Accessibility Standard (Reg 191/11), including the introduction of the new Part IV.1, entitled Design of Public Spaces Standards (Accessibility Standards for the Built Environment).
The new Standard will only apply…
AODA for Employers Part 2: Integrated Accessibility Standards
By Lisa Stam on
This is Part 2 of my three part series on the Accessibility for Ontarians with a Disability Act, 2005. In my first post, I discussed the Customer Service Standard, which was passed this summer and requires the private sector to comply by January 1, 2012.
In this post, I outline the AODA Integrated …
New Employer Standards for Employees with Disabilities
By Lisa Stam on
Last Friday, the Ontario government passed the Integrated Disability Regulation under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). The Regulation includes a number of requirements for employers to remove barriers and ensure accessibility for employees. The Regulation contains three standards for organizations to meet, including an Employment Standard at Part III.
A…