As January comes to a close it is a great time to take stock of your employment practices and to create an annual plan for updating all policies and practices to ensure that they have incorporated any changes to the law that have occurred in the last year. Take the time to ensure that your ...
A recent British Columbia Court of Appeal decision highlights why employers should exercise care when recruiting employees from their competitors. Facts The plaintiff in GEA Refrigeration Canada Inc. v. Chang et al., 2020 BCCA 361 was a company that designed manufactured industrial hygienic freezers (“GEA”). GEA’s freezers had several unique design features, and GEA ...
The circumstances surrounding the resignation of Governor General Julie Payette underscore the obligations of employers. At its base, the requirement for Canada to deal with the difficulties associated with Ms. Payette arise because of duties and obligations imposed in employment relationships. After complaints arose, Canada hired an independent consulting firm to complete a review (investigation) ...
2020 presented unprecedented challenges for workplaces, requiring employers to be creative and strategic in responding to the significant changes required by the COVID-19 pandemic. The close of 2020 brought with it the approval of two vaccines, with more on the horizon. These vaccines will hopefully assist in putting the pandemic and all the resulting restrictions ...
A great deal has changed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rose Keith, QC has revised her reference Chart relating to Provincial and Federal economic initiatives so you know which assistance programs are still available, which are not, and which programs have been recently rolled out. Check out the most recent version here. This update was authored ...
Cho v Stonebridge Solutions Inc., 2020 BCSC 1560 Facts The plaintiff was terminated by the defendant, Stonebridge Solutions Inc. (“Stonebridge”), after five months of employment at age 49. Stonebridge argued that the plaintiff was an independent contractor, and therefore no notice of termination was required. The plaintiff had previously worked as Vice President national Sales ...
An Ontario Court of Appeal decision from earlier this year has employers across Canada worried about the enforceability of their termination provisions. Facts The plaintiff in Waksdale v. Swegon 2020 ONCA 391, was terminated without cause after 8 months of employment. He subsequently brought an action for wrongful dismissal against his former employer and moved ...
The pandemic has created significant financial stress for many Canadians. Those who have lost their jobs as a result of COVID-19 and those who have lost income due to either exposure to COVID-19 or having to care for another due to COVID-19. The Federal Government has put in place a variety of COVID-19 related benefits ...
In Ziegler v. Pacific Blue Cross (No. 2), 2020 BCHRT 125, the BC Human Rights Tribunal (Tribunal) determined that Pacific Blue Cross (PBC) did not discriminate against Ms. Ziegler on the basis of family status when it imposed a change to her work schedule that impacted on her childcare arrangements. The Tribunal dismissed the complaint. ...
With the ongoing surge in COVID 19 cases employers need to be aware of their obligations. The recent Public Health Order which is in place from November 7 to 23, has imposed specific obligations on employers. Specifically, the order requires that: Employers must review their COVID-19 Safety Plans to ensure that they adequately protect workers ...
