Hiring workers like nannies, doulas, housekeepers, or gardeners can make life a lot easier for Ontario households, but it’s critical to understand the legalities involved. A key issue is whether the worker is an employee or an independent contractor. Misclassification can lead to financial liabilities, tax issues, and legal disputes.Continue Reading Hiring Workers for Your Household in OntarioHiring Workers for Your Household in Ontario
We’ve all heard of the magical work-life balance in Sweden, where companies have been experimenting with shorter workweeks for years. One attempt in Gothenburg saw municipal workers shift to a six-hour workday without losing pay. The results? Increased productivity, happier employees, and fewer sick days.
While not every business has embraced the change permanently, the experiment fueled the global conversation about reducing work hours. The four-day workweek has become one of the hottest workplace trends as organizations around the globe explore new ways to boost productivity, employee well-being, and retention. Continue Reading Working Hard or Hardly Working? Making the Four-Day Workweek Work for You
The holiday season is a time when many employers want to show appreciation to their employees. Gift cards are a popular and convenient choice for recognizing hard work and spreading some seasonal cheer.
But employers need to be aware of the employment and tax implications of gifting gift cards, especially here in Canada. Missteps can result in unintended financial consequences for both the employer and the employee.
If you’re planning to hand out gift cards this year, here’s what you need to know.Continue Reading Keeping Gift Giving Jolly: How Employers Can Avoid Tax Surprises
As holiday fanatics, our team has had a countdown to the key holiday dates going on for some time now. Yet, even with a countdown many of us have been struck by just how few days remain before the New Year.
If you are similarly surprised and like us thinking about what’s to come for 2025, read on for some of the key workplace and employment law takeaways from 2024 and what to know for 2025:
Key Takeaway: New Legislative ChangesContinue Reading Key Workplace Takeaways from 2024 and What to Know for 2025
The farming sector in Ontario is unique in many ways, and employment laws reflect that. One area of concern for both farm owners and workers is how terminations and severance pay are handled under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”).
The farming exemption, as outlined in Ontario Regulation 285/01 under section 2(2), excludes farm workers from certain ESA provisions such as hours of work and overtime pay. These exemptions are designed to reflect the unique demands of agricultural work, which can be highly seasonal and subject to the unpredictability of weather and harvest cycles. However, these exemptions have their limits. Continue Reading Thinning the Herd: Terminations and Severance for Ontario Farms
With Halloween officially behind us, it’s time to pitch the pumpkins, finish up that leftover candy, and pack up the spiderweb decor for another year.
But beyond leftover treats and lingering decor are there any ghosts and goblins lurking that might keep things a little too spooky during the upcoming holiday season? By proactively addressing some key issues in the workplace employers are in a much better position to keep spooky season where it belongs and focus instead on the bright times of the upcoming holiday season. Continue Reading Keeping Spooky Season Where it Belongs: Essential Tips for a Smooth Holiday Season
Handling an employee’s termination is always hard and involves a lot of moving parts. As a business owner, you’re likely juggling multiple responsibilities already, so managing terminations efficiently while staying compliant is crucial.
ChatGPT, as a generative AI tool, can help your HR team with many routine tasks while also assisting external legal counsel where needed. Here’s a breakdown of where ChatGPT can step in during each stage of the termination process.Continue Reading How ChatGPT Can Streamline Employee Terminations for Busy Business Owners
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, 15-25% of pregnancies end in a miscarriage. Yet, many employers do not have a plan in place for supporting employees who have experienced miscarriages, stillbirths or pregnancy loss.
Miscarriage can be a devastating experience both physically and emotionally, and providing support and resources to employees during such a time is crucial for creating a positive work environment and inclusive workplace culture. For Canadian employers, it’s important to understand the legislative framework around miscarriage leave and adopt compassionate, supportive policies that comply with provincial and federal regulations.Continue Reading Understanding Miscarriage Leave Entitlements Across Canada
As discussed in previous blog posts in our farming series, the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”) outlines farming exemptions, This allows certain employers flexibility under the ESA, particularly when it comes to hours of work, overtime, and rest periods.
The crux is that not every worker at every farm automatically falls under the ESA’s exemptions – there are important scenarios where this exemption may not apply. Farm owners and operators must understand the limits of these rules – failure to do so can lead to costly legal consequences.Continue Reading Look Out! When the Farming Exemption Does Not Apply
The legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada in 2018, opened the door to a wave of new questions about how it fits into the workplace.
Employees might feel empowered to use cannabis in their free time, but employers are increasingly concerned about its impact on safety, performance, and overall productivity. Continue Reading Recreational Cannabis Use and Employment