This is not the first time we have commented on this issue as we did in one of our “Ask a Lawyer – Employment law“ segments on Toronto’s CP24 Program. The issue is whether an employee who was working from home during the COVID-19 quarantines is required to return to the workplace, as required by […]
by BRAM A. LECKER, B.A., LLB. BARRISTER & SOLICITOR It’s another morning at work. Through the elevator door that needs an oil, past that infernal clock that runs too slow, the faint smell of bitter coffee and carpet freshener wafting in from the kitchen, where the muffled laughter of office banter begins to overcome the […]
Disability claims involving employees suffering from mental illnesses are rising: lawyer This article is part of a series addressing popular topics and questions that clients and the public may have about the legal profession. How employers respond to mental health challenges in their workforce has become an even more salient question since the COVID pandemic […]
On June 2, 2022, Ontario’s “right to disconnect” law came into effect, a first in Canadian employment law. On the surface, this law requires employers to develop a policy allowing employees the right to disconnect outside of standard office hours. However, a closer look reveals that below the surface, this law does not provide employees […]
Dependent contractors are a common, but rarely acknowledged worker of the business world. Whether working as a door-to-door salesman or via a numbered company, these workers always have two things in common: most of their income is derived from one contract and the nature of their business arrangements is precarious. For many small and medium-size […]
Can your employer terminate you without cause? The short answer is yes, employers in Ontario have the right to terminate an employee on a “without cause” basis. However, there are limits: an employer cannot terminate an employee as retaliation or for discriminatory reasons per the Ontario Human Rights Code. If this happens, the termination is […]
Finding an employee’s lawyer can sometimes present you with too many options: do you select the most experienced, the least expensive or the one you have a great rapport with? There is no correct answer, but this guide may help when looking for an employment lawyer that suits your needs. 10 qualities to look for […]
While the jury is still out on whether or not the COVID-19 crisis is over, one thing is certain – people are working again. Unemployment is finally dipping below pre-pandemic levels, and with new jobs come new contracts. A lot of people’s eyes gloss over when it comes to contracts, but they’re the most important […]
So often I am asked if it is legal to record one’s employer. Other times, I am asked whether one should record their employer. I typically begin the conversation by differentiating what is legal and what is reasonable in the context of employment law. In Ontario, we have one-party consent with respect to recordings which […]
As the years go by, the reality and expectation to accommodate work over personal life have become more normal. In the case of Hilton v. Norampac Inc (2003), represented by Principal of Lecker & Associates Bram Lecker, the court reviewed facts regarding child care commitments that interfered with employment. Michael Hilton, the plaintiff, worked for […]