How Long Is My Lunch Break at Work Required To Be? We all know that person at the office who works through lunch instead of taking a break. Especially if your manager is the one who eats at their desk, you may feel unintentional pressure to also forgo a lunch break and keep working. However,…
Have I Been Constructively Dismissed? When an employee quits a job, they often have a good reason for it. In some circumstances, leaving a position can be considered a “constructive dismissal” rather than a voluntary departure under Ontario law. If you’ve resigned (or are thinking of quitting your job) because of changes to your employment,…
What Should I Do if I’ve Been Wrongfully Terminated? The last day at a job can be extremely stressful. You have to pack up your things, say your goodbyes, and deal with a large amount of paperwork. The company is asking you to sign numerous documents. Some are as simple as receipts that you turned…
Do I Need a Wrongful Termination Lawyer? After you are terminated from a job, your life is thrown into chaos. You know you need a new job, yes, but doesn’t your old employer also owe you severance pay? The concept of severance pay is often misunderstood. If you are subject to a wrongful dismissal, an…
As a result of the pandemic many employees have been working remotely from home. Despite the fact that remote employees benefit from complete physical distancing, workplace conflict can still occur. In fact, we’ve noted an uptick in workplace issues raised by employees who work exclusively in virtual environments. With the increased number of emails, instant…
Entering into a new employment relationship can be an exciting but stressful decision. Employees may be leaving a secure job with another employer, they may be relocating, and they may be making considerable financial decisions based on the new opportunity. There is often a lot of planning involved. What many may never plan for is…
Hena Singh & Stefan RosenbaumOn March 19, 2020, the Ontario government passed Bill 186 which amended the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (the “ESA”) to add the Infectious Disease Emergency Leave to ensure that employees had a job protected leave if they were not able to work for COVID-19 related reasons (child care, personal medical reasons,…
Not all workers in Ontario are entitled to a severance package upon their dismissal. Are you? A person’s right to a severance will ultimately depend on the nature of their relationship with their employer. The law draws a distinction between employees and contractors. Years ago, it may have been accurate to say that only those who…
As Canadians prepare to cast their votes in the upcoming federal election, employees and employers alike should be aware of the specific legal entitlements that are in place to ensure that all workers have an opportunity to exercise their civic duty. All Canadian employees who are eligible to vote on polling day (a Canadian citizen…
Bill 66, Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, received Royal Assent on April 3, 2019, and the new legislation introduces some changes to Ontario’s Employment Standards Act, 2000. Most notable are the changes that Bill 66 has in respect to overtime. The 60 Hour Rule: Previously, employees were not permitted to work more than 60 hours per week. However, Bill 66…