Employee Rights

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The threat, uncertainty and financial hardship of U.S. tariffs are causing significant disruption for Canadian businesses – shrinking profit margins, reducing demand, and forcing difficult staffing decisions.

If your business is facing economic uncertainty due to tariffs, temporary layoffs might seem like a reasonable solution. However, employment laws in Canada impose strict rules on layoffs, and missteps can result in unintended liability.Continue Reading Tariff Turmoil? Temporary Layoff Tips for Canadian Employers

As an employer, understanding the legal framework surrounding employee leaves is crucial to mitigating legal risks and ensuring compliance with employment laws.

Employers may face challenges when making business decisions that impact employees on leave, including questions about whether termination is permissible during a leave of absence.Continue Reading Out of Sight, Out of Work? Important Considerations for Terminating on Leave

Underperformance can be a big issue for employers, especially in smaller organizations where every employee’s contribution matters.

There can be serious costs to the business. Before you terminate someone, you need to understand the legal framework in Ontario. Skipping the proper steps can expose your business to claims for wrongful dismissal, which can be even more expensive.Continue Reading Can I Terminate an Employee for Underperforming?

Are you an employer using fixed-term employment contracts and wondering how to avoid costly legal pitfalls?

Ontario’s recent Steele v. City of Barrie decision provides key insights on how to use FTECs effectively, minimizing risks like paying out full contracts or unintentionally creating indefinite-term employees. Here’s what you need to know. Continue Reading Navigating Fixed-Term Contract Risks: Essential Lessons for Ontario Employers

Workplace investigations, especially those involving harassment allegations, require a clear and consistent process. Employers in Ontario must be diligent in their approach to ensure compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), maintain a safe work environment, and protect the rights of all parties involved.

A well-defined process is crucial for three main reasons: it ensures legal compliance, fosters trust among employees and reduces the risk of liability for the employer. Continue Reading The Importance of Process in Workplace Investigations

Let’s say someone has applied for a job at your business, and the best way for you to assess their suitability for the job is not through reading their resume or conducting an interview, but by observing them while they actually do the job they have applied for.

So, you ask them to come in for one or two “trial shifts”, in lieu of an interview, to see if they’re a good fit. 

Does this “trial period” count as work, and does the candidate need to be paid? Recent changes to the Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”) say yes. It’s true what they say: nothing in life is free. Continue Reading No Free Trials: Ontario Employees Need to be Paid for Trial Periods