FRTalks

Insights and updates on human resources, employment law, payroll, internal controls and compliance strategies.

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Employers, it’s time to wake up: Nepotism in Canadian workplaces

Although nepotism may not be illegal per se, it poses serious concerns including a bad workplace culture at best and the creation of a toxic work environment at worst, poor employee morale, bad business practices and decision-making, conflicts of interest, and damage to an employer’s reputation.

Rudner Law, Employment / HR Law & Mediation

Time to read 6 minutes read
Calendar November 1, 2024
conflict of interest
conflict of interest policy
discrimination on the basis of family status
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What comes next: Google abused its monopoly power

I wrote recently about the landmark antitrust decision in which Google was found to be a monopolist who abused its power regarding general search and text advertising. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is asking the court to impose sanctions against Google to ensure that Google can no longer monopolize the search engine market.

Christina Catenacci, BA, LLB, LLM, PhD

Time to read 3 minutes read
Calendar October 18, 2024
competition
consumers
DOJ
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A reminder for employers: Unconscious bias in the workplace investigation process

Workplace discrimination can take many forms and may include situations where an employee is the target of unintentional discriminatory behaviour informed by unconscious bias. Unconscious bias refers to social stereotypes about groups of people that individuals form outside of their own conscious awareness. While workplace investigations can play an important role in addressing discrimination, they […]

Vey Willetts LLP

Time to read 4 minutes read
Calendar October 11, 2024
characteristic protected from discrimination
discrimination
employee complaint
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What employers need to know to avoid post-termination surprises: Bonuses and other fringe benefits

In a competitive job market, many employers turn to implementing bonus programs or offering other fringe benefits like car allowances to attract and retain talented employees. However, employers are often surprised to learn that they may owe recently terminated employees ongoing bonus payments and other fringe benefit payments through the employee’s notice period. In this […]

SpringLaw

Time to read 4 minutes read
Calendar October 9, 2024
benefits
bonuses
car allowances
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An employer’s role in the duty to mitigate

Following a termination, employees have an obligation to take reasonable steps to find other employment to minimize their wrongful dismissal damages. Asserting that an employee has failed to comply with their duty to mitigate is a strong tool for employers looking to reduce the amount of damages owed to an employee. However, demonstrating a failure […]

Simes Law

Time to read 4 minutes read
Calendar October 8, 2024
Dismissal
duty to mitigate
employment law
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Is requesting a layoff a resignation?

Employers often make the mistake of thinking that they can put an employee on a temporary layoff, so long as they respect the applicable employment standards provisions. To their dismay, they are then served with a constructive dismissal claim.

Rudner Law, Employment / HR Law & Mediation

Time to read 4 minutes read
Calendar October 4, 2024
British Columbia Employment Standards Act
deemed termination
employment law
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Five considerations for commission policies

A commission is an entitlement to compensation based on attaining a target. Employers should remember the following five things when designing and operating commission schemes:

Apolone Gentles, JD, CPA,CGA, FCCA, Bsc (Hons)

Time to read 5 minutes read
Calendar October 1, 2024
commission structures
commissions
deduction at source
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Navigating workplace investigations – Employer FAQs (Part 2)

When an employer’s duty to investigate is triggered following a complaint, a workplace investigation “appropriate in the circumstances” must be conducted. But who’s the judge of what is considered appropriate? 

Belle Yuan, HR consultant, Strategywise HR

Time to read 5 minutes read
Calendar October 1, 2024
confidentiality obligations
employee complaint
employment law
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Employers’ duty to accommodate family status when scheduling shifts is not unlimited

Family status is a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code and employers have an obligation to provide reasonable accommodation in the circumstances.

McCarthy Tétrault LLP

Time to read 3 minutes read
Calendar October 1, 2024
duty to accommodate
employment law
family status