Legal Landscape

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As Ontario employers gear up for summer and bring fresh talent into the workplace, many consider hiring interns to support short-term projects or provide students with real-world experience.

But beware: not every “intern” is exempt from Ontario’s Employment Standards Act (ESA). Misclassifying a worker as an unpaid intern when they are legally an employee can expose your organization to significant liability. 
Here’s what you need to know to avoid misclassification and stay on the right side of employment law.Continue Reading Summer Interns or Employees? Avoiding Misclassification in Ontario

AI tools are quietly making their way into Canadian workplaces—helping with scheduling, hiring, performance management, and even discipline. But for unionized employers, using AI isn’t just a management decision. It’s a collective bargaining issue.

While only a small percentage of Canada’s workforce is unionized, these workplaces often lead the charge on new standards, so what happens here often sets the tone everywhere else.Continue Reading AI in the Unionized Workplace: What Employers Need to Know

If you’re reviewing a termination package that includes a ‘retiring allowance,’ it might sound like a perk tied to retirement. That makes sense, right? Not really.

Despite the name, a retirement allowance in Canada has nothing to do with retirement. In most employment law cases, it simply means money paid to an employee upon or after termination of employment in recognition of long service. It’s a tax term, not a legal entitlement, and it often leads to confusion when planning severance packages or reporting to the CRA. Let’s break down what it is – and what it isn’t.Continue Reading Retiring Allowances – Don’t Be Fooled by the Name

Introduction

For those who navigated the corporate world during the COVID era, the concept of “work from home” is nothing new. In 2025, a new reality is beginning to emerge: the “work from anywhere” (“WFA”) Era – where employees aren’t just working remotely but are also working across borders, time zones, and tax jurisdictions. 

The WFA concept has moved from a niche perk to a mainstream policy in many industries. With employees seeking greater flexibility and companies leveraging global talent, the rise of digital nomadism and remote work across borders is accelerating. Continue Reading From Boardrooms to Beaches: The Rise of “Work-From-Anywhere” Employment in 2025

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

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

Some employee resignations are clear-cut; the employer is provided with a letter of resignation, with an effective date, a signature etc.

However, what about when an employee shouts “I quit!” and storms out of the office, expresses a general dissatisfaction about their job, or that they have received another job offer? Continue Reading Employee Resignations: When is a resignation valid? 

As we start a new year, it’s one of the most common times for an employer to review its structure, payroll, and overall organizational needs. While it’s no secret that many companies are doing mass terminations right now, a delicate trend that we are also seeing is mass terminations while simultaneously hiring new employees.

This…