Remote work settled into Canadian workplaces long ago, yet many employers still operate as though the shift was temporary. The result? Quiet risks, unclear expectations, and legal obligations hiding beneath everyday workflows.
Remote work isn’t dangerous on its own; unstructured remote work is.
The most common misstep happens before employers even realize it: allowing an
As your small or medium-sized business grows, you’ll face more complex employment law questions. When those issues arise, one big decision often follows: should you hire an in-house lawyer, or rely on external legal counsel?
While having a lawyer on your payroll may sound convenient, many growing companies find the costs and responsibilities outweigh the
“Our mental space (i.e. idea space) expands and contracts in direct proportion
Hiring and terminating employees are two of the most critical decisions an employer can make. These moments define workplace culture, shape legal risk, and directly affect an organization’s reputation.
Unfortunately, they are also common sources of human rights complaints under the Ontario Human Rights Code. Whether due to a lack of awareness or rushed processes, employers often make avoidable mistakes that can lead to costly disputes. A proactive approach rooted in fairness and compliance can go a long way toward reducing liability.Continue Reading Avoiding Discrimination Claims: The Employer’s Guide to Compliant Hiring and Terminations
Unlimited Vacation sounds great in theory – employees take time when they need it, the administrative burden of ‘counting days’ is alleviated, the ‘use it or lose it’ drama disappears, and employers are able to avoid the “helicopter parenting” style of monitoring an employee’s vacation entitlements.
The Unlimited Vacation perk has become increasingly popular with the rise of burnout recognition, a greater understanding of the value of ‘mental health days’, and a less rigid take on the typical 9 to 5. It’s trendy too: In 2024, 26% of tech companies offered Unlimited Vacation (versus 15% total market)1
Before you start deleting any vacation request forms from your HR drive, consider this: in Ontario (and across Canada), Unlimited Vacation policies may create more problems than they solve, especially if they’re not drafted carefully or maintained properly. Continue Reading Unlimited Vacation: Dream or Drama?
The AI revolution has begun
AI is changing how work is done, and people are taking notice.
According to a recent Gallup poll, 22% of employees in the U.S. are concerned that they will lose their jobs to generative AI. Four years ago, it was 15%.
Globally, AI is expected to transform the workforce by 2050. Experts estimate that up to 60% of current jobs will require significant adaptation due to AI, and Goldman Sachs predicts that up to 50% of jobs could be fully automated by 2045.Continue Reading How to Future-Proof Your Workforce for the AI Revolution
The Ontario Superior Court recently reminded employers that employment agreements aren’t optional – they’re enforceable.
In Timmins v. Artisan Cells, 2025 CanLII 2387, the employer ignored its own termination provisions and tried to use severance as leverage for a release. It backfired big time.Continue Reading Don’t Use Severance as Leverage: Courts are Not Impressed
Remote work is here to stay, creating complexity when it’s time to end the relationship. If you’re thinking of ending a remote employee’s contract, you’ll need to check more than just their performance. Where they live, what’s in their contract, dealing with their equipment and how you deliver the news all matter.
As tensions rise between the United States and Canada (and other countries), many American businesses are reevaluating their global strategies.
The evolving U.S. trade policy, marked by tariffs, export restrictions, and geopolitical uncertainty, has pushed companies to seek more stable and accessible markets. Enter Canada: a relatively politically stable, resource-rich, and business-friendly country with a skilled workforce and strong legal framework.Continue Reading Crossing North: A Playbook for U.S. Employers
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