Employment Law Ontario

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Grounds and Areas of Protection Under Ontario’s Human Rights Code — Including Contractual Protections

Ontario’s Human Rights Code (the “Code”) protects people from discrimination and harassment in specific areas of public life based on personal characteristics, known as “grounds.” The settings where these protections apply are called “areas.”

Knowing these protections—and how they extend to…

Employment contracts shouldn’t be considered “set it and forget it” documents. With what feels like almost constantly evolving case law, employers need to keep contracts up to date or risk having key provisions thrown out by a court. 

If a termination clause is found to be invalid, the promises in your contract (most typically limiting…

It’s 2025, and clients are using AI tools like ChatGPT in their legal matters. If you’re an HR professional or run a business, maybe you’ve seen a team member pull up ChatGPT to write a demand letter or question your workplace policies. Or maybe you’ve tried it yourself: “Can I fire someone for this?” or “Is this harassment under Ontario law?”

These tools aren’t going away. Just like WebMD changed how patients interact with doctors, ChatGPT is shifting the lawyer-client relationship. That can be a good thing, with the right boundaries.Continue Reading When Clients Use ChatGPT for Legal Advice

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?

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