Tag: Employment law

Moonlighting: Who’s Left to Push the Paper?

Loss in productivity: $70,000 – $100,000/year Discount off of Dietco Supplement: $20/month Two-night stay at Schrute Farms: Priceless Once again, Julie is working extra hard this week for one of our clients and has asked me to fill in for her here on the blog. I’m Troy Foster a fellow labor and employment attorney with […]

Just Say No to Comp Time

by Kara Shea I hear it all the time: Our employees want comp time; our employees like comp time. Why can’t we give them comp time? And time and time again, I have to deliver the unpleasant news: In most cases, even if your employees love comp time like they love ice cream sundaes and […]

Taking a Chance

LITIGATION VALUE: $450,000 (could be more if several employees file claims) As Julie has been called upon to practice law this week, she asked me to blog in her place. I’m Troy Foster, a fellow labor and employment attorney with Ford & Harrison and also a big fan of the show. Thankfully this week’s episode […]

When Employees Don’t Pack Their Inhibitions for Business Trips

The more employees travel for business, the more exposure employers have — often with costly consequences. Businesses must be prepared for problems that might arise when male and female employees travel together, whether domestically or internationally. Contrary to popular belief, what happens in Vegas doesn’t really stay in Vegas — it gets told in court. […]

Handling Work Refusals

McCarthy Tetrault Your employees in Canada have the right to refuse tasks that may endanger them or others. Health and safety laws spell out not only your obligations but also what your employees must do when refusing work, so it’s important for you to understand how to handle such situations. Here are some tips to […]

Party Time

McCarthy Tetrault Q. When a company holds a social outing for employees and alcohol is served, what are the legal risks? How can potential liability be minimized? A. Parties and other social events provide employers with an opportunity to reward employees and let them interact with coworkers outside of the office. Unfortunately, they also create […]

Employee With Perfume Allergy Loses Discrimination Claim

(Updated October 2008) A federal appeals court affirmed the dismissal of a disability discrimination claim based on perfume sensitivity. It found that the employer reasonably accommodated the employee by taking various measures, including prohibiting perfume in the workplace. HR Guide to Employment Law: A practical compliance reference manual covering 14 topics, including the Americans with […]

Collective Bargaining – Now It’s Constitutionally Protected

by Donovan Plomp McCarthy Tetrault In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of Canada has decided collective bargaining is a right protected in the national constitution. The court’s extension of “freedom of association” under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to include a right to collective bargaining is a reversal of previous Supreme Court decisions.

Canada’s Top Court Signals Tougher Days Ahead on Accessibility

by Tara McPhail McCarthy Tetrault Canadian human rights laws require employers to accommodate employees and customers with disabilities up to a point. What point? The point at which the accommodation would constitute “undue hardship” on the employer. But what makes an undue hardship? A recent Supreme Court of Canada decision appears to set a high […]

Welcome to Northern Exposure

Welcome to the introductory issue of Northern Exposure. This new e-zine and blog highlights important developments in Canadian labor and employment law and will be of special interest to companies with operations in Canada. In addition to news articles, the blog and e-zine will include practical Employer’s Tips and Q&As to help you better understand […]