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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

Franchise businesses come with their own unique blend of benefits and challenges, but a rarely discussed area is the intersection of franchise law with employment law. Continue Reading Hidden Employment Liabilities for Franchisors: What You Need to Know in Ontario

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

Using ChatGPT to Streamline Employee Terminations and Support Your HR Team

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