Articles

About Articles The following articles are published by the Labour and Employment Law Section of the Ontario Bar Association. Members are encouraged to submit articles. About Articles

Editor: Madeleine Werker

Today
Today
photo of co-author Tahir Khorasanee

The Ethical Screen: A How to Guide

  • May 02, 2023
  • Tahir Khorasanee (associate) and Rachel McKenzie (student-at-law)

The Ethical Screen: A How-to Guide provides readers with a current and concise overview of the regulations and expectations associated with an Ethical Screen. Reference to Ontario v. Chartis Insurance Company of Canada exemplifies how to avoid the consequences of an inadequate Ethical Screen.

Labour and Employment Law, Student Forum
photo of author Laura Epplett

Termination for Excessive Innocent Absenteeism Upheld

  • May 02, 2023
  • Laura Epplett

An arbitrator upheld the termination of a unionized employee under the employer’s attendance support program for excessive absenteeism where there was no prospect of reasonable attendance.

Labour and Employment Law, Student Forum

Most Significant Cases In Employment Law - 2022

  • February 21, 2023
  • Daria (Dasha) Peregoudova, Ljubica Durlovska, and Zachary Sippel

This article explores the most significant employment law cases in 2022, and their related implications.

Labour and Employment Law, Student Forum
photo of author Rob Richler

What You Need to Know About Recent Changes to the Employment Standards Act: Policies, Exemptions, and More

  • February 15, 2023
  • Rob Richler

There have been several changes to Ontario employment law over the past year that will have lasting impacts on both employees and employers. A ban on non-compete agreements, mandatory written policies on disconnecting from work & electronic monitoring, business & IT consultants becoming exempt from ESA and new rules of temporary help agencies and recruiters are among these changes. Read on to learn about the implications of these changes on employee and employers in Ontario.

Labour and Employment Law, Student Forum

Court of Appeal Finds Section 8 of the Charter's Privacy Protections Apply to Employees in School Workplaces

  • January 30, 2023
  • Andrew Easto

This detailed case summary reviews the Ontario Court of Appeal's decision in Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario v. York Region District School Board. In this groundbreaking decision, the Court of Appeal held that section 8 of the Charter applies to the actions of principals conducting workplace investigations. Further, the Court found that the Board’s investigation violated the teachers’ reasonable expectation of privacy and constituted an unreasonable search under section 8.

Constitutional, Civil Liberties and Human Rights Law, Education Law, Labour and Employment Law and 1 more..., Student Forum
photo of author Stuart Rudner

How to Win at Mediating Employment Law Claims

  • November 17, 2022
  • Stuart Rudner

I often write and speak about winning at mediation (it’s not an oxymoron), and as a mediator, I remain convinced that most counsel can do a much better job with their advocacy at mediation (also not an oxymoron). One of my mantras has become “help me to help you”; since I will be your advocate in the other room, make it as easy as possible for me to understand and explain your case in a compelling manner when I am speaking with the other side. That is how you win at mediation.

Labour and Employment Law, Student Forum
photo of author Nadia Zaman

Strategic Use of Contracts Post COVID-19

  • September 20, 2022
  • Nadia Zaman, associate, Rudner Law

This article outlines some strategic and practical considerations when drafting and implementing employment contracts, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Head-shot photo of authors

Does Mediation Satisfy the OHSA Duty to Investigate Workplace Harassment?

  • June 10, 2022
  • Ruth Wellen & Jesse Elders, Kastner Lam LLP

This article considers whether alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation, meets the statutory requirement to conduct an investigation into allegations of workplace harassment under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act. We conclude that alternative dispute resolution does not satisfy an employer’s duty to investigate, but we encourage employers to consider using mediation and other restorative techniques as part of their overall response to a complaint of workplace harassment.

Labour and Employment Law, Student Forum
Head shot photo of author Richa Sandill

What It Means to Say Yes: Settlement Enforcement in Employment Law Forums

  • May 05, 2022
  • Richa Sandill - staff lawyer, Don Valley Community Legal Services

In this article, we explore the various methods in employment law forums available to enforce a settlement, as well as understanding the test for when a settlement will be found to be binding in the event that a party changes its mind or attempts to resile.

Labour and Employment Law, Student Forum