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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

Determining appropriate common law notice periods for short-service employees remains one of the most debated topics in Ontario employment law. This is especially so when those employees are senior-ranking employees or executives. While long-service employees often expect generous notice periods, recent case law continues a long-evolving trend of courts willing to award significant notice to short-service employees. Continue Reading Common Law Notice Periods for Short-Service “Executives”: Trends from 2023-2025

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

As the holiday season approaches, it is a good time to revisit lessons from highly pertinent employment law cases. One case that stands out is Matthews v. Ocean Nutrition Canada Ltd. (“Matthews”), which serves as a key reminder for employers regarding bonuses, commissions, and shares potentially owed to employees after termination.

Although this case was decided a few years ago, the principles remain highly relevant, particularly during the end of the year when many employers are planning reviews of compensation plans for the following year and paying out holiday bonuses. Continue Reading All I Want for Christmas Is… My Bonus (Even After Termination!)

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

December is complex.  A third of our statutory holidays are Christian-based, despite our diverse workforce in Canada. The holiday season can be a joyful time for many but it also raises questions about cultural inclusion in the workplace. 

For employers in Ontario, this includes understanding whether employees can swap statutory holidays like Christmas for religious or cultural holidays more meaningful to them.Continue Reading Swapping Christmas Stat Holidays: Human Rights & Cultural Inclusion in the Workplace

The holiday season is upon us, bringing a mix of joy and challenges for businesses of all sizes. This time of year can be a balancing act between meeting increased operational demands, ensuring compliance with regulations, and fostering a positive work environment.

Here’s how you can make this holiday season a success for your business and your team.

Plan Ahead for Staffing and Scheduling

The holidays can bring unique staffing challenges. If your business sees a surge in activity, now is the time to consider hiring seasonal employees. Continue Reading Preparing Your Workplace for the Holiday Season

In an era of heightened political tensions, employees increasingly express their political beliefs at work. While engaging in discussions about societal issues can be healthy, these expressions sometimes lead to friction among colleagues and risk disrupting workplace harmony.

Employers in Ontario need to navigate this complex terrain carefully, balancing the rights of individuals to express their views with the need to maintain a respectful and productive environment.Continue Reading Managing Political Expression in Ontario Workplaces

Navigating Terminations and Severance Pay in Ontario’s Farming Sector

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”).

What Does the Farming Exemption Cover?

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