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Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) – Learn the latest

Employers in Ontario must be aware of the changes that are happening and the requirements that will be placed on them in the very near future under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

Christina Catenacci, BA, LLB, LLM, PhD

Time to read 2 minutes read
Calendar June 8, 2011
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Undue hardship – myth or reality? Learn the latest!

Every employer has experience accommodating employees due to their religion, family needs, health or disability. Accommodation is a necessary practice to manage a workplace today, and it’s the law in Canada, enshrined in the Canadian Human Rights Act and various provincial statutes. But every case of accommodation is different, and interpretations of the law vary.

Adam Gorley

Time to read 2 minutes read
Calendar June 6, 2011
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Sweeping changes at the WSIB – Learn the latest

There have been some sweeping changes at the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) this year. Are you ready for the new return-to-work and New Experimental Experience Rating (NEER) policies? And do you know about the soon-to-be effective Bill 160? Come join us at the annual Employment Law Conference to Learn the latest.

Christina Catenacci, BA, LLB, LLM, PhD

Time to read 3 minutes read
Calendar June 1, 2011
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Bill 168, workplace violence and harassment provisions in OHSA – A year in review – Learn the latest

Nearly one year ago, the Ontario government enacted Bill 168, which added workplace violence and harassment provisions to the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Many employers were ready, but many are still scrambling to comply, which, among other things, includes developing written policies to address both violence and harassment at work and to review those policies at least once a year.

Ted Kenney

Time to read 2 minutes read
Calendar May 25, 2011
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Social networking and Internet abuse in the workplace – Learn the latest

We’ve written plenty on First Reference Talks about the significant effects—both negative and positive—that online social networking can have on workplaces. Whether its Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, news or entertainment blogs or what-have-you, employees are using social media, and increasingly they’re doing it on your time. Employers should be aware of the potential value they can derive from social media, as well as the potential risks.

Adam Gorley

Time to read 2 minutes read
Calendar May 18, 2011
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Improving web accessibility – our own!

Customers demand more of businesses in so many ways these days—better quality and safety, greater social and environmental responsibility, extra service, and accessibility. The law increases its demands frequently, too. Even our governments and public service providers have a hard time keeping up with the legal requirements! Making improvements in all of these areas can challenge an organization, but only accessibility offers the advantage of access to a market of unrealized potential.

Adam Gorley

Time to read 3 minutes read
Calendar December 6, 2010
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Bill 168 – Meeting your obligations for violence and harassment prevention

There’s lots of talk in Ontario’s workplaces and online about workplace violence and harassment and the Bill 168 amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Hopefully by now the message is getting through, and employers are taking the steps to prepare for the June 15 deadline. (That’s about three weeks away!)

Adam Gorley

Time to read 2 minutes read
Calendar May 21, 2010
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Managing absenteeism – Learn the latest!

The third session at First Reference’s Ontario Employment Law Conference on June 2, 2010, covers managing absenteeism. When dealing with absenteeism, employers must respect the protected leaves under the Employment Standards Act, as well as the accommodation rules found under the Human Rights Code and Workplace Safety and Insurance Act.

Christina Catenacci, BA, LLB, LLM, PhD

Time to read 2 minutes read
Calendar May 17, 2010
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Human rights law update – News from the front

New human rights procedures came into effect in Ontario in mid-2008, and we’re beginning to see the results of the changes. Session Two at First Reference’s Ontario Employment Law Conference, June 2, 2010, will look at the following topics…

Adam Gorley

Time to read 2 minutes read
Calendar May 14, 2010