Overholt Law LLP Newsletter April 2016 Employee Privacy at Work
Employee Privacy at Work
By Preston Parsons, Articled Student
Canadian privacy laws continue to evolve and mature, having gone from relative infancy to a serious topic around the boardroom table in a relatively short period of time.
Following the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in R. v. Cole 1, there has been great interest in the human resources community about the extent to which organizations can most effectively balance the privacy rights of employees at the office with the employer’s desire to manage the workplace as it so chooses.
In the meantime, Canadian Courts continue to hear cases involving employee claims of breach of privacy, leading to a growing body of law to guide employer’s actions.
Firm News
OLC Inaugural Firm Seminar
On April 20th, Overholt Law LLP held its first firm seminar over breakfast at the Terminal City Club. Our lawyers presented on a variety of issues under the seminar theme of “Current Legal Issues and Trends in Human Resources Management”. Carman, Preston, Jennifer, and engaged with our 47 attendees on a variety of topics, including workplace investigations, employment contracts, technology and privacy, and current trends in employee dismissal. A copy of our presentations can be found here. Our attendees included in-house counsel, HR professionals and entrepreneurs.
We would like to thank everyone for their attendance at our seminar, with a special thank you to Lendl, and Susan for their organization and enthusiasm.
Our next seminar will be held on October 5, 2016; please save the date! Registration details will be sent out in the near future. We look forward to seeing you there.
Upcoming Events
Employment Law Conference
May 5 – 6, 2016
Join at this year’s Employment Law Conference and gain a comprehensive understanding of the key and emerging ideas you need to know about. This is your annual update on the case law, trends, and issues that are creating change in this interesting and developing area of practice.
At this course you will learn about:
- Wrongful dismissal settlements and awards.
- Off-duty conduct and employer sanctions.
- Terminating long-absent and disabled employees.
- IP issues, directors & officers liability in employment law.
Dates and Times:
May 5, 2016
9:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
May 6, 2016
9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Location:
Pan Pacific Hotel
999 Canada Place
Vancouver, B.C
Courses
October 3 and 4, 2016
Employment Law Essentials: Minimize the Risk of Employer Liability and Litigation
Carman J. Overholt, K.C. has partnered with UBC’s Sauder School of Business to offer a course in employment law this fall. The course – titled “Employment Law Essentials: Minimize the Risk of Employer Liability and Litigation” – will touch upon various legal topics that are of particular interest to employers. The course covers the current Canadian landscape in employment and human rights law, and covers such topics as workplace privacy, investigations, and employee dismissal, to name a few.
October 5, 2016
Overholt Law LLP Breakfast Seminar
Overholt Law LLP will be hosting its second employment and labour law breakfast seminar on Wednesday, October 5. An invitation will be sent out in the near future.
Date and Time:
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
7:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
Location:
Terminal City Club
837 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, B.C.
