Articles 2021

This article discusses noteworthy labour law decisions of 2021. While the topic of mandatory vaccination policies has garnered significant attention from employers and lawmakers in the past year, there were several judicial developments independent of vaccination policies that employers and human resources practitioners should keep in mind.

Sometimes parties travel a great distance to bridge the gap in their positions, only to find that the final step toward settlement is the biggest hurdle of all. "Splitting the difference" is not usually a viable strategy, so don't simply engage in offers and counter-offers without proper forethought. Working strategically with your mediator and considering creative approaches such as a Mediator's Proposal, Final Offer Selection, or mediation-arbitration (med-arb) will help get the deal done.

In a recent decision, the Ontario Superior Court rejected a Plaintiff’s argument that the entire termination scheme in an employment agreement was unenforceable because the agreement contained a “just cause” provision. Relying on contract law principles, the Court distinguished Waksdale v. Swegon North America Inc. and reminded employment lawyers that every case should be considered on its own facts.

In Morningstar v WSIAT, the Ontario Divisional Court partially quashed a WSIAT decision and held that constructive dismissal claims for chronic mental stress arising from workplace harassment are not statute-barred by the WSIA unless they are improper attempts to skirt the limitations of that Act. This article summarizes this recent decision and discusses the implications it may have for employers and employees in regards to these types of claims.

In this article, mediator and employment lawyer Stuart Rudner provides advice for how counsel should approach allegations of just cause at mediation.

This article addresses the recent jurisprudence from the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario regarding mandatory masking rules.

Class actions in the realm of employment law are a relatively new but growing field. They are an ideal way for workers to have access to justice. Not only do they allow employees to maintain anonymity and prevent reprisals from their employer, but they also allow recovery of small amounts for employees, for claims that would not be financially viable for individuals to bring on their own. This article explores a few changes and trends being seen in employment law class actions.

At the commencement of the pandemic the Government of Ontario passed a new Regulation which introduced an unpaid leave of absence known as the Infectious Disease Emergency Leave. Recently two Ontario courts have given diametrically opposite conclusions on whether an employee who is placed on the Infectious Disease Emergency Leave can have a successful claim for constructive dismissal. This Article analyses these conflicting judgments and suggests a path forward.

The old saying is that the best way to achieve peace is to prepare for war. Similarly, the best way to achieve a good settlement is to prepare for trial. You can use technology to put your case forward as strongly as possible, and help your mediator help you to get the best deal.