Employment Law

Many employees receive bonuses from their employers, whether it is a small amount for the holidays or a significant sum. In fields such as sales, that “bonus” can account for everything an employee earns above minimum wage.    This means that many employees depend on their bonus as part of their overall compensation package to cover both expected expenses, such as a Christmas bonus earmarked for presents, or unexpected ones, such as car trouble. If you are depending on a bonus, it can be devastating if you’re fired and don’t receive it.    Many employees incorrectly believe they are not…

As an employee, you are entitled to a safe and healthy workplace. Harassment or an unsafe working environment is never acceptable. When an incident occurs, or a complaint is made, a workplace investigation is almost always required. This brief guide will provide an overview of what to expect when a workplace investigation takes place.  Step One: Complaint If you notice there is a health and safety problem in your workplace, your first step is to report it to your employer. If you are experiencing or notice incidents of workplace harassment, you can also report that to your employer. Employers are…

If you are experiencing harassment in the workplace, there might be a few worries holding you back from making a complaint to your employer. Will your employer punish you for making a complaint? Will they reduce your hours or stop considering you for a promotion? Will they fire you?   Consider seeking advice from an employment lawyer before you make a complaint. Together you can strategize on how to best communicate your concerns to your employer. You can also ensure that if your employer tries to retaliate later, you will be prepared.   The Occupational Health and Safety Act (“OHSA”) doesn’t only…

Being wrongfully terminated is stressful and often surprising. For employees on a fixed-term contract, it is often blindsiding. One recent case highlights that if you are on a fixed-term contract, you may be entitled to more than you think. In, Tarras v The Municipal Infrastructure Group Ltd., a former employee was awarded $479,000 after being wrongfully terminated before the end of his contract.  Mark Tarras was a Professional Engineer for The Municipal Infrastructure Group Limited. In December 2019, Mr. Tarras entered into a three-year employment contract with his employer that would pay him a base salary of $250,000 per year,…

Upon being fired, after the initial pain and shock has subsided, the most important question is the terms and amount of the settlement offer. Almost always this offer is accompanied by a scary looking legal release, with strange bolding and capitalization. While this offer may be important for gauging if a lawsuit makes sense, once you start a wrongful dismissal lawsuit, it is almost always irrelevant. The initial termination offer from your employer is not included in the court documents because it is subject to settlement privilege.  The employer may want to mention the initial termination package to show the…

The old idea that work ends when you walk out the door is irrelevant to most modern employees. Even those who work fixed shifts know the pain and frustration of receiving a text or call from a manager asking you to work on your day off. The pandemic further blurred the lines between work and home as employees suddenly had to work from home.  The new Ontario Right to Disconnect Law was created to answer this but has confused many employers and employees. This has led to questions about what it is, what an employee is entitled to, or even…

Most people probably didn’t know that the LSO has a certified specialist program. Following a study conducted by the law society’s competency task force, the certification will be decommissioned. The only exception is the Indigenous Legal issues certification. This certification is being kept in recognition of the key role that this designation plays in the Law Society’s Indigenous Framework and commitments to reconciliation. What is this certification? Lawyers practicing for a number of years in a certain field could apply to be certified as a specialist in that field. Along with a small fee, if lawyers continued to meet these…

Anyone who has searched for work has come across job listings specifying a seasonal term with the “opportunity” to extend or gain full-time employment. While there are many mutually beneficial employment opportunities to be found in a variety of seasonal sectors, it goes without saying that seasonal employees are more vulnerable than permanent employees.  If you work seasonally in the fishing, forestry, or agricultural industries during their peaks, retail and hospitality during the holidays, or one of the many other industries that hire seasonal workers, you understand that vulnerability firsthand.  So, what can you do as a seasonal employee to…

With the school year ending and spring fading into the heat of summer, there is one other change Ontarians need to keep in mind before donning their sunglasses and taking some much-needed time off – the COVID-19 Period is finally coming to an end.   What Is the COVID-19 Period? During the pandemic, the government made modifications to accommodate the employment-related difficulties created by the pandemic. These temporary accommodations, which began on May 29, 2020, largely allowed employers some flexibility in addressing the downturn in business caused by the pandemic. On July 31, 2022, they will be ending.  What does this…