Ten things Canadian employers need to know about statutory holidays
Statutory holidays are days designated by government to mark special occasions or events. In Canada, there are several statutory holidays. Some are national and every province and territory observes the public holiday; some are provincial/territorial holidays, unique to a particular jurisdiction. Typically, a statutory holiday means that workers are entitled to take the day off without losing pay. But this is a general entitlement, with several exceptions and qualifications…
Ted Kenney
9 minutes read
November 28, 2017 
Reinstatement of employment at the Human Rights Tribunal
Reinstatement is the practice of re-installing an employee to his/her position as it existed prior to termination, or to the fullest extent possible, which may include the preservation of their pre-existing seniority, pension and other benefits.
De Bousquet PC Barristers and Solicitors
When can an employer ask for an independent medical examination?
The Ontario Court of Appeal has confirmed that in certain circumstances, it is reasonable for an employer to demand an Independent Medical Examination (“IME”) to determine whether an employee needs accommodation and if so, how. In August 2017, the Court denied leave to appeal the Divisional Court’s decision that found the employer was justified in requesting an IME as part of the process of accommodation.
Rudner Law, Employment / HR Law & Mediation
The curious incident of the sick dog and paid leave in the work day
Earlier in October news outlets reported that a woman in Italy had successfully petitioned her employer to allow her to use two days of paid leave to care for her sick dog, rather than use vacation allotment.
Michele Glassford
What happens if an employer fails to provide a timely Record of Employment (“ROE”) for departing employees?
Employers must issue the ROE within five days after the employee’s last day of work, regardless of the reason why the employee left (i.e. termination, resignation, etc.).
Jeff Dutton, Dutton Employment Law
An employer’s duty to inquire into mental illness
Accommodating a mental illness does not only benefit the employee, but it also makes good business sense. Enabling employees with mental illness to access support can increase their productivity in the workplace.
Doug MacLeod, MacLeod Law Firm
The challenge of organizational culture
Culture has become a very contentious political issue in the past few weeks. However, discussions about culture have a very long history and always evoke very strong responses. This is because culture, “the way we do things”, is what distinguishes one group of people from the next.
Deveen Hunter
Talking damages: Put your money where your mouth is
When it comes to human rights cases, awards for general damages are often less than $10,000, even though the $10,000 cap on general damages was removed almost a decade ago.
Rudner Law, Employment / HR Law & Mediation
Vexatious litigants and abuse of process at Tribunal
The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario has the authority to govern its own proceedings. Within this authority is the power to declare any applicant a vexatious litigant and to identity any abuse of process, either of which may result in the dismissal of an Application. The recent interim decision addresses both of these issues.
Kevin Sambrano, Sambrano Legal Services