The question posed in the title above seems simple, doesn't it? To calculate years of service, all one has to do is take the start date of employment and count the number of years until the end date. Done. Easy, right? But wait. Before you go, I have a few other questions for you. What … Continue reading How are my years of service with my employer calculated?
Employment Law
COVID-19 – Constructive Dismissal Update Revisited
In my last post, which you can find here, I wrote about section 7 of O. Reg. 228/20 entitled Infectious Disease Emergency Leave (the “IDEL Regulation”) and how it affects an employee's claim for constructive dismissal. Section 7 of this Regulation of the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (the “ESA”) states: (1) The following does not constitute constructive dismissal if … Continue reading COVID-19 – Constructive Dismissal Update Revisited
COVID-19 – Constructive Dismissal Update
As many employers are aware, not long after the start of the pandemic, the provincial government enacted legislation to preclude employees from advancing a claim of constructive dismissal based on a temporary lay-off prompted by COVID-19. More information on constructive dismissal can be found here. Specifically, the government passed O. Reg. 228/20 entitled Infectious Disease … Continue reading COVID-19 – Constructive Dismissal Update
I Have Just Been Let Go. What Happens To My Bonus Now?
Quite often, when I am asked by a client to review a severance package, the entitlement to a bonus is an important factor. In some cases, the employer historically pays a bonus, which varies in amount from year to year, but is entirely gratuitous with no connection whatsoever to the performance of the employee or … Continue reading I Have Just Been Let Go. What Happens To My Bonus Now?
As A Union Member, Can I Sue My Employer?
I often receive phone calls from employees who are members of a union with inquiries about claims that they would like to pursue against their employers. Unfortunately, except in very limited circumstances, there is little that I can do as an employment lawyer to help them. The limited circumstances where I can assist a union … Continue reading As A Union Member, Can I Sue My Employer?
Update on Termination Clauses from the Court of Appeal
Termination clauses or notice provisions in employment agreements are an area of employment law that continues to develop at a rapid pace. These provisions attempt to limit the amount of notice, or pay in lieu thereof, that an employee might be entitled to upon dismissal. My previous article on this topic can be found here. … Continue reading Update on Termination Clauses from the Court of Appeal
What Am I Entitled To In A Wrongful Dismissal Claim?
Most of the time, when a client comes to see me about a wrongful dismissal, the client tells me, "I only want what I am entitled to." However, most of the time, the client does not really know what he or she is entitled to in damages or compensation. The Court of Appeal's decision in … Continue reading What Am I Entitled To In A Wrongful Dismissal Claim?
COVID-19: Legislative Changes to Constructive Dismissal
As of May 29, 2020, the Ontario government has altered the law on constructive dismissal. In Farber v. Royal Trust Co., the Supreme Court of Canada describes a constructive dismissal as “a fundamental or substantial change to an employee’s contract of employment.” In its subsequent decision in Potter v. New Brunswick Legal Aid Services, the Supreme Court further explains … Continue reading COVID-19: Legislative Changes to Constructive Dismissal
How Long Can I Wait To Look For A New Job?
Every employee suing for wrongful or constructive dismissal is required to mitigate his or her losses by taking reasonable steps to search for new work. This duty to mitigate is a topic that I have written about on several occasions. You can find links to these articles here and here. A question that I am … Continue reading How Long Can I Wait To Look For A New Job?
COVID-19: Legislative Changes for Employees and Employers
We have heard it repeatedly from the media and our political leaders. These are unprecedented times. Since the goverment-ordered shutdown of all businesses and services that were deemed to be non-essential, the financial well-being of millions of Canadian employees - as well as the companies they work for - have been severely impacted. In … Continue reading COVID-19: Legislative Changes for Employees and Employers