Losing a job takes a serious toll on an employee's life. Severance pay can alleviate the economic and personal blow of this situation, so employees in British Columbia must understand what they can expect if they lose their jobs. When employers should pay statutory...
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Drug and alcohol testing: What employees should know
On Behalf of Overholt Law LLP | Sep 18, 2023 | Privacy Law
You can feel a great sense of accomplishment when you get a new job or promotion. Unfortunately, this could all be in jeopardy if your employer requires a drug or alcohol test and you do not successfully pass such tests. Drug and alcohol testing is controversial for a...
5 mistakes employers make when addressing employee absenteeism
On Behalf of Overholt Law LLP | Sep 1, 2023 | Employment Law
Everyone occasionally misses work, whether for a scheduled vacation or an unexpected medical event. Whether being away from work is stressful or relaxing, it typically isn't cause for concern. However, absences can add up quickly, and in some cases, employers must...
How can companies make work safer for gig workers?
On Behalf of Overholt Law LLP | Aug 16, 2023 | Workers Compensation, Workplace Accidents, Workplace Injuries
Gig work is an increasingly significant part of Canada's economy, and the tens of thousands of people who work in these jobs are a crucial element of the workforce. However, these individuals don't have the same protections as Canadian employees protected under...
5 record keeping violations that compromise employees’ rights
On Behalf of Overholt Law LLP | Aug 2, 2023 | Employment Law
Employment disputes often come down to what parties have on record. Everything from notes during an interview to performance reviews and termination notices can come under scrutiny when employees and employers are in conflict, so comprehensive, accurate record-keeping...
3 ways employers might cover up unlawful actions
On Behalf of Overholt Law LLP | Jul 18, 2023 | Employment Law
Employers who breach their legal obligations toward their employees may create messy disputes, for which they may face serious consequences. Because of this, some employers may attempt to cover up what they are doing to avoid getting in trouble. Understanding the...
What is disparate impact in layoffs?
On Behalf of Overholt Law LLP | Jul 4, 2023 | Labour And Employment Law
Laying off workers can be a tough decision for businesses, but there are proper and improper ways to conduct them. If an employer makes poor decisions and violates the rights of those they are laying off, they can be held accountable. One mistake too many companies...
3 legal complications of remote working arrangements
On Behalf of Overholt Law LLP | Jun 7, 2023 | Employment Law
For many employees, the option of working from home full-time or in a hybrid environment is highly appealing. Nonetheless, it presents difficulties for employers that may result in legal complications and disputes. We explore some of these potential issues below....
4 ways employers violate employees’ privacy
On Behalf of Overholt Law LLP | May 18, 2023 | Employment Law
The right to privacy is something that Canadians take very seriously - it is a fundamental right. This includes privacy in the workplace. We have strict laws to protect both employers and employees regarding privacy, but some employers make mistakes or poor judgements...
Tackling unconscious bias in the workplace
On Behalf of Overholt Law LLP | May 9, 2023 | Employment Law
Unconscious biases, also known as implicit biases, are underlying assumptions, beliefs, or stereotypes that we hold against other people or groups of people that impact our behaviours. Unconscious biases are often developed through our own experiences, perceptions,...