Many people expect to receive financial compensation in the form of severance payments when their employment comes to an end. This expectation is based on a common but mistaken belief that workers are automatically entitled to severance payments. Some employment standards laws, such as Ontario’s Employment Standards Act, 2000, do require employers to provide unconditional severance payments in…
It’s that time of year again! Holiday parties are in full swing. While the focus is on celebration and cheer, employers must keep in mind that without proper planning, the celebrations may result in legal liability. Aside from excessive drinking at work functions, the most common legal issue employers face is sexual harassment, an issue…
On November 27, 2017, Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017, received Royal Assent. The Bill brings the most significant changes to the Employment Standards Act (the “ESA”) that we have seen in approximately two decades. Some of the changes come into effect as early as December 3, 2017, with the most significant amendments coming…
The majority of employees we meet at the Firm are unaware of their overtime entitlements. Many are shocked to learn that they unknowingly earned thousands of dollars in unpaid income. This is not entirely surprising given the many misconceptions about overtime. It is true that certain professions are not entitled to overtime. However, employees working…
Écoutez l’entrevue avec Me Cédric Lamarche au sujet de la discrimination raciale au travail sur les ondes de la radio Universitaire de Toronto, CIUT 89,5FM (Pot-Pourri Show): http://www.potpourrishow.com/02262017.mp3 Cédric représente et conseille les employés et les employeurs en matière du droit de l’emploi. Il comparaît régulièrement devant le Tribunal des droits de la personne de l’Ontario et peut…
During the course of employment, an employee may obtain access to confidential information regarding the employer’s business interests, including trade secrets and customer lists. As a result, and in order to protect itself from exploitation, an employer may require the employee to enter into a contract with provisions restricting the employee’s business activities at the end…
Understanding employment laws in Canada can be confusing and frustrating. The most common questions that we receive from employees pertain to their legal rights or entitlements as a result of dismissals. This article was specifically prepared to decipher some of the fundamental legal concepts applicable to the without cause dismissals of probationary employees. An individual…
Singh Lamarche LLP’s Jon Pinkus was featured in a recent Toronto Sun article by Duff McCutcheon on the Ashley Madison leak. Click on the following link to read the article: http://www.pressreader.com/canada/toronto-sun/20151209/282273844301956/TextView
With millions of Ashley Madison users exposed after a hacking group published their personal information, employers are asking themselves how they can deal with employees who are engaged in what many see as reprehensible off-duty conduct. Employers sometimes assume that an employee’s misdeeds in his or her private life are grounds for termination of their…
On October 19, 2015, Canadians will be heading to the polls to cast their ballots in the federal election. Many eligible voters may feel that their work obligations prevent them from taking time out of their day to have their say in who should govern the country. Fortunately, Canada has adopted laws that promote the…