Employment Law Employment Law

Tips for handling a toxic work environment

Imagine going to work every day, dreading potential interactions. Maybe you're afraid of your boss, or your coworkers make you feel uncomfortable or humiliated. Perhaps you regularly get teased, threatened or bullied. If any of these experiences sound familiar, you could be working in a toxic environment. Under these circumstances, you should know what you can do to protect yourself and your job.

Read More

Social media in the workplace: What is appropriate?

Finding someone who doesn't use social media would be very difficult. We use the various platforms for everything from networking and getting news to keeping up with our family and friends. Even businesses regularly utilize social media to find new clients and advertise new products. Considering how ubiquitous social media is, savvy employers and employees should understand how to address the appropriate use of these platforms in the workplace.

Read More
Employment Law Employment Law

Reasonable accommodations for pregnant employees

Workers who are or become pregnant have specific rights and legal protections on the job. Unfortunately, too many employers still unfairly fire or deny them reasonable accommodations. These actions create considerable financial and professional complications; they could also endanger the safety of the woman and her unborn child.

Read More
Privacy Law Privacy Law

Drug and alcohol testing: What employees should know

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 few reasons and require a careful balancing of employees’ human rights and privacy rights with the employer’s legal obligation to maintain a safe workplace.

Read More

How can companies make work safer for gig workers?

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 federal and provincial laws. For example, they do not have as much job security compared to other employees. In addition, gig workers face a number of workplace accidents.

Read More
Employment Law Employment Law

3 ways employers might cover up unlawful actions

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 tactics that employers may use to draw attention away from their misdeeds can help employees determine the right course of action in addressing a workplace issue.

Read More
Employment Law Employment Law

4 ways employers violate employees' privacy

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 that lead to a claim they violated someone's privacy and the law.

Read More
Employment Law Employment Law

Tackling unconscious bias in the workplace

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, and societal influences.  Unconscious bias in the workplace may result in adverse treatment to employees that can lead to legal claims and disputes.

Read More

What is a 'failure to mitigate' in wrongful dismissal actions?

Losing your job unexpectedly can be incredibly upsetting. You can feel angry, confused and lost. However, what you do or don't do in the days and weeks following a termination can be incredibly important if you decide to pursue legal action citing wrongful dismissal. For instance, any damages you might receive could be reduced if there is evidence that you failed to mitigate your losses.

Read More