An increase in remote work across Canada has led to new and important discussions on employee rights and protections. Some federal lawmakers have raised discussions on how to protect worker privacy when they are working from home. This is a concern for British Columbia workers and employers alike.

Consultants and Human Resources Specialists have written volumes of material on the best techniques to identify the top candidates for employment. Some well-known CEOs and others have developed strategies they believe can identify psychological traits in exceptional candidates.

Statistics indicate that approximately one in 10 occupational diseases or injuries in Canada cause brain trauma. Of those injuries, could have been prevented. There are also a number of grey areas when it comes to reporting these type of injuries, which can lead to confusion and issues with workers’ compensation claims.

The differentiation between an independent contractor and an employee is very important at law. Different classifications of workers have different rights and responsibilities, specifically upon without-cause termination of employment.

The federal government passed Bill C-3 (the "Bill"), An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Canada Labour Code, on December 17, 2021. The Bill has enhanced paid sick leave and bereavement leave for the federally regulated employees in the private sector under the Canada Labour Code. 

Employees often hold back complaints because they fear retaliation without realizing that human rights legislation protects them. Retaliation as a result of an employee being named in a complaint, participating in an inquiry or giving evidence against a colleague is prohibited under the BC Human Rights Code.

When near-misses or specific incidents occur in British Columbia workplaces, employers must carry out investigations according to the procedures prescribed by WorkSafeBC. Workplace investigations involve four stages. Incidents requiring investigations include work-related fatalities or serious injuries, near-miss incidents that could have caused severe injuries or death and more.

Federally regulated employees are subject to the terms of the Canada Labour Code. The Canada Labour Code's provisions for addressing alleged wrongful dismissal are unique.

The success of a company generally lies in the strength of its operational documents. These documents can range from vendor delivery agreements to various employee handbooks and contracts.

Now that we’ve seen nearly a year of non-traditional working conditions, it’s time to consider the future. With increased flexibility offered by remote working, when it’s time to rebuild your workforce, a fully remote employee might be your best choice.

Pursuant to section 68(1)(a) of the British Columbia Workers Compensation Act (the "Act"), employers in British Columbia must inform WorkSafeBC immediately of the occurrence of certain workplace accidents, such as where a worker is seriously injured or killed on the job.