Bill C-16 and Transgender Rights
Last month Bill C-16 was finally given royal assent. The bill, which adds protection of gender identity and expression to the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code, received a 67-14 vote in favour of the bill in the Senate. The passing of the law is regarded by many as a historic moment, bringing federal human rights laws in line with the provinces and territories.
Top 3 Things to Consider When Choosing a Lawyer
Generally speaking, you need a lawyer when you have a problem. However, choosing the right one may seem like a daunting task. That said, it is an important one, as choosing the right lawyer and/or law firm will help you better understand your situation, your options, and hopefully leave you feeling as though you have been heard and that someone is on your side. Below are my top 3 things to keep in mind when choosing a lawyer and/or a law firm.
When Would An Employee Want To Claim Frustration Of Contract?
We all know the conventional ways that an employment contract can be terminated, such as a resignation, or with or without cause. Another way is by frustration of contract. Frustration of an employment contract is when the employee becomes unable to fulfill the fundamental duties and responsibilities of their position through no fault of their own.
Determining Severance Pay Obligations
Severance pay is an important lifeline for an employee who has lost their job. It aims to compensate them for the loss of employment by recognising their length of service. Ontario’s Employment Standards Act, 2000 states that an employer must provide severance to a terminated employee if their payroll is $2.5 million or more. However, some employers may dispute the size of their payroll in order to get out of this obligation.
Have you taken the legal steps to protect your startup from disaster?
The best time to see a lawyer is when you don’t think you need one. Avoid the mistakes first-time entrepreneurs make and take the legal steps to protect your startup from disaster.
Working Notice and Limitation Periods: When Can I Sue?
If I am terminated with working notice and decide to work through that notice period, when can I file a claim for wrongful dismissal? A recent Ontario court case wrestled with this question, deciding that the deadline for employees to commence an action begins to run when their employer gives them “working notice.”
Extended Parental Leave – Who Does it Benefit and What Do I Need to Know?
Many readers will have noticed that the 2017 Federal Budget introduced some interesting proposals for new parents and parental leave. This blog post will present details of the proposal, and highlight both its advantages and disadvantages.
New Parents, Maternity, and Parental Leave – What You Need To Know
With the Federal Government’s proposed extension to parental leave in the 2017 Federal Budget, we thought it would be useful to provide a summary of Ontario employees’ existing rights regarding parental leave.
New Tort Allows An Employee to Sue An Ontario Employer For Harassment
In Merrifield v The Attorney General, the Ontario Superior Court has made it clear that an employee can sue an employer for harassment. The Court sets out a four-part test that needs to be met in order to recover damages for this new tort of harassment, which necessarily includes evidence of outrageous employer behaviour.
How To Mess Up A Dismissal – Just A Few Easy Steps!
Can an employer simply sweep sexual harassment complaints under the rug? Can you be fired for making the complaint, or because of your gender? A recent case confirmed that a reasonable, impartial and thorough investigation is necessary when a complaint of sexual harassment in the workplace is made. Also, it reinforced that an employer must act in good faith when terminating an employee.