The duty to investigate workplace harassment exists, even in the absence of a complaint
A common question that workplace investigators are often asked is whether suspected incidents of workplace harassment have to be investigated, even if a complaint has not been filed. The answer, at least in Ontario, is a resounding “yes.” Ontario’s Occupational […]
Ontario Court upholds just cause termination provision
Last year, we reported on the Ontario Court of Appeal’s decision in Waksdale v. Swegon North America Inc. (the “Waksdale decision”), in which the Court found that although drafted properly, a termination without cause provision in an employment contract was […]
Ontario Ministry of Health provides clarity for medical exemptions to COVID-19 vaccination
With employers keeping busy drafting and enforcing vaccination policies in the last few weeks, many questions have been raised about medical exemptions from the requirement to get the COVID-19 vaccine. While employers are aware that human rights legislation requires them […]
Health and safety obligations on construction sites during the pandemic
Construction employers in Ontario have a duty under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to protect the health and safety of workers on construction sites. This duty includes the obligation to protect workers from COVID-19 and help prevent outbreaks at […]
Further details on Ontario’s “stay at home” order
As we reported in our Communique on January 12, 2021, on Tuesday Premier Doug Ford announced that the Province of Ontario would be imposing a stay-at-home order effective as of midnight January 13, 2021. Only a handful of hours before […]
Ontario issues “stay at home” order
This afternoon, Premier Doug Ford declared that the Province of Ontario issued a second Emergency Order under s. 7.01(1) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMPCA). While the details of the Emergency Order are still unclear, Premier Ford […]
Federal update: New monetary penalties effective under the Canada Labour Code on January 1, 2021
On January 1, 2021, the Canada Labour Code (“the Code”), which applies to federally regulated employers, will be amended to add a new Part IV, titled “Administrative Monetary Penalties.” The purpose of Part IV is to establish an alternative penalty […]
Episode 4: Re-opening your business – Key considerations in returning your employees to work
Listen to Episode 4 of Morning Commute with Miller Thomson. Miller Thomson's Labour & Employment team discusses key takeaways for businesses and organizations preparing the workplace for returning employees.
