Overview
Hugh Dyer is a labour and employment lawyer with extensive experience in representing both private and public sector employers, responding to their need for practical, results-oriented legal advice. Hugh advises on issues that concern union and non-union employees, encompassing labour relations, negotiation and administration of collective agreements, human rights, employment standards, health and safety, and other employment matters.
Hugh frequently acts as employer counsel in grievance and interest arbitrations. He appears as counsel before the Canada Industrial Relations Board and the Ontario Labour Relations Boards and before human rights, labour standards, and health and safety tribunals.
Hugh also advises his clients concerning the labour relations and employment issues arising in the context of commercial transactions, including the sale or purchase of a business.
Hugh’s private sector clients include a number of significant transportation and manufacturing enterprises. Within the public sector, he has special expertise in labour relations and employment matters relating to health care.
Hugh served on the Firm’s National Executive Committee for five years and was Managing Partner of the Toronto and Markham offices for two of those years. He was the national leader of the labour relations and employment law group for several years.
Professional achievements & leadership
- The Best Lawyers in Canada - Labour and Employment Law, 2015 - 2025
- Chambers Canada ranked lawyer, Employment & Labour, 2016 - 2025
- The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Labour Relations (Management), 2019 - 2020
- Acritas Stars global survey of stand-out lawyers, 2018
- Chambers Global ranked lawyer, Employment & Labour, 2011 - 2018
Thought leadership
- Presenter, “Fairness” in Human Rights Damages: A Review of the Fair Decision and Other Cases, Miller Thomson Seminar, Toronto, November 18, 2014
- Presenter, Employment Challenges for Corporate Counsel: Addressing Poor Performance by Employees, Miller Thomson Seminar, Toronto, October 22, 2014
- Presenter, “Labour Relations in the Federal Sector,” Miller Thomson’s Labour Relations and Employment Law Conference, Toronto, April 24, 2014
- Lecturer on labour relations, human rights and other employment law issues to groups such as the Canadian Bar Association, the Canadian Transport Lawyers’ Association, the Ontario Trucking Association, the Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes for the Aged, the Ontario School Bus Operators’ Association, the Ontario Police Association and various for-profit and non-profit organizations
- Co-author, Canadian Employment Law Fact Book
- Author, Papers concerning drug and alcohol testing, labour issues in commercial transactions, attendance management, health and safety and other employment issues
- “New Federal Government Proposes to Repeal Employees Voting Rights Act,” Labour and Employment Communiqué, March 2016
- “The Duty to Bargain in Good Faith Revisited,” Labour and Employment Communiqué, May 28, 2015
- “Federal Unjust Dismissal Process: Is an Evidentiary Hearing Required in ‘Without Cause’ Cases?” Labour and Employment Communiqué, March 31, 2015
- “Overhaul of the ‘Holiday Pay’ Rules Under the Canada Labour Code effective March 16, 2015,” Labour and Employment Communiqué, March 3, 2015
- “Unjust Dismissal Clarified: Without Cause Terminations not Prohibited by the Canada Labour Code,” Labour and Employment Communiqué, February 4, 2015
- “Employees’ Voting Rights Act Significantly Changes Federal Labour Relations,” Labour and Employment Communiqué, January 16, 2015
- “Mandatory Retirement Prohibited in the Federal Sector?” Labour and Employment Communiqué, November 6, 2009
- “Key Labour and Employment Law Advice for Purchasers in the Context of a ‘Sale of Business’”, The Law Society of Upper Canada, 2009
- “The Global Workplace 101: Issues Facing Multinational Employers,” Canadian Corporate Counsel Association Magazine, 2009
- “Directors’ Personal Liability For Unpaid Wages,” Labour and Employment Communiqué, December 10, 2008
- “Do Bargaining Unit Work Clauses Restrict the Re-Assignment of ‘Shared Functions’?” Labour and Employment Communiqué, May 29, 2003
- “Can an Employee on Long-Term Disability be Dismissed?” Labour and Employment Communiqué, July 11, 2002
Professional memberships
- Canadian Bar Association
- Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers
Bar admissions & education
- Ontario, 1985
- LL.B. (with distinction), Western University, 1983
- B.A., Western University, 1980
