Dr. Henry provides notice to healthcare workers that more vaccine mandates will be coming

27. October 2021 0
We published a post on our blog on October 26, 2021 regarding the public health order dated October 14, 2021. See post here: https://workplacelawblog.harpergrey.com/2021/10/26/healthcare-facility-vaccine-mandate-pho-order-takes-effect-october-26/. That order requires most workers in government-funded healthcare facilities to be vaccinated in order to continue providing services. Significantly, in the above order, Dr. Henry also provides a warning to other healthcare ...

COVID and the rise of reasonable notice periods

25. October 2021 0
Hawes v Dell Canada, 2021 BCSC 1149 The plaintiff, Mr. Hawes, commenced an action against his former employer, Dell Canada Inc., for wrongful dismissal. Dell terminated Mr. Hawes’ employment as a senior sales representative without cause on March 25, 2020. Mr. Hawes was 64 years old at the time of termination and had worked for Dell ...

Travel Agency, no frustration of contract despite pandemic

25. October 2021 0
Verigen v. Ensemble Travel Ltd., 2021 BCSC 1934 In this recent BC Supreme Court decision, the court tackled various employment issues which were directly caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Verigen worked as a business development director for Ensemble Travel Ltd. (“ETL), a travel agency cooperative. Verigen’s employment was terminated without cause after 18 months of employment. In this ...

Two complaints brought in relation to BC’s vaccination card program dismissed by BC Human Rights Tribunal

18. October 2021 0
Two recent preliminary screening decisions from the BC Human Rights Tribunal, dismissing complaints brought in relation to BC’s vaccination card program, provide some insight into how tribunals may deal with complaints regarding vaccine mandates during the pandemic. Complaint against Dr. Bonnie Henry One complaint was brought against provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. The complainant ...

Remote Work Policy

04. October 2021 0
In this world where we are continuing to fight waves of COVID, remote work remains a reality for most workplaces.  Responses range from embracing remote work as a means of retaining employees, expanding potential employment opportunities and reducing costs to reluctantly allowing remote work to continue only when absolutely necessary.  Regardless of preference it is ...

Workplace Policy Manuals

14. September 2021 0
A comprehensive employee policy manual is an excellent tool for onboarding, a great reference source for existing employees, and can provide you with convenient coaching materials.  But your policy manual will only provide these benefits if it is comprehensive and well written.  Your policy manual can provide information related to your workplace’s history, mission, and ...

Harper Grey Hosts “Ask Us Anything: Returning to the Workplace”

26. August 2021 0
On Wednesday, August 25, 2021, our Workplace Law Group hosted their third “Ask Us Anything Employer Webinar” focused on returning to the workplace. The panel discussion provided insights from members of our Workplace Law group: Scott Marcinkow, Rose Keith, QC, Ryan Chan, Deanne Froese and Neal Parker, who discussed vaccinations, workplace safety, the continuation of remote or hybrid work and more. Check out ...

Proof of Vaccination

24. August 2021 0
You can’t turn on the news these days without hearing about vaccination mandates. The landscape is changing daily with companies and governments in Canada and the US issuing vaccine mandates. On August 12 BC announced that all long term care and assisted living workers, including volunteers and personal service workers who enter these facilities, were ...