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 […]
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 […]
There’s nothing more exhilarating than seeing well-earned commissions or bonuses deposited along with your paycheque. But this kind of compensation can be confusing and can end up causing problems between employees and employers. One common problem centres around the terms of the bonus, including how and when someone is entitled to that extra payment. “One […]
You may be entitled to compensation if you’re off work due to do COVID-19. Insurance companies, however, are fighting this as COVID-19-related illness is keeping more people home from work. Navigating a leave of absence – whether it’s COVID-related or not – can be complicated. What you may be entitled to depends on the parameters […]
Dependent contractors/agents are common in the business world. As a group, Dependent Commissioned Agents (DCAs) make their income in commissions generated from the sales of a commercial enterprise’s products or services. Whether engaged as door-to-door salespeople or as owners of incorporated sales agencies, DCAs have two things in common: economic dependency and minimum security in […]
The City of Toronto says that it has terminated 461 employees who failed to comply with its vaccination policy. The policy came into effect on Sept. 7 this past year. Employees originally had until Oct. 30 to be fully vaccinated, but the deadline for compliance was extended to Jan. 2. “As of the deadline, a […]
The growing use of vaccine mandates and subsequent requests for non-medical exemptions have thrust Canada into uncharted territory as employers, human-rights officials and lawyers try to navigate a complex new reality with little legal precedent. Canadian human-rights commissions have experienced a surge in calls and complaints linked to vaccine mandates, prompting new questions about how […]