On December 13, 2021, the Accessible Canada Regulations came into force under the Accessible Canada Act. Federal employers and employees should take note as there are several new requirements. 1. The Basics Under the new rules, employers are obligated to create an accessibility plan, establish and publish an anonymous feedback process and produce progress reports. […]
What's New
New Protections Announced for Gig Workers
We recently discussed Bill 88, the Working for Workers Act, 2022, and its creation of a new policy requirement on employee monitoring. In this post, we discuss another addition to the workplace landscape under Bill 88 – the Digital Platform Workers’ Rights Act, 2022 (“DPWR”). If passed, the DPWR would create new rights for workers […]
Will Employers Ask Unvaccinated Employees to Return to Work to Mitigate Damage Claims?
Earlier this year, thousands of employees were terminated from their employment for failing to comply with employer-imposed vaccine mandates. The Globe and Mail published an article quoting a number of veteran employment lawyers reporting that they were run off their feet issuing wrongful dismissal claims on behalf of unvaccinated employees. At the same time, labour […]
Monitoring Requirements Coming to the ESA
In the lead-up to the election, the provincial government continues to announce new workplace laws. Most recently, Bill 88, the Working for Workers Act, 2022, and its associated proposal on employee monitoring. In this blog, we discuss what Bill 88, if passed, would mean for employee surveillance in the workplace. 1. The Basics As with […]
New Right to Disconnect Provisions in the Employment Standards Act
On December 2, 2021, the Ontario government passed the Working for Workers Act, 2021, previously known as Bill 27. The Act amends Ontario employment legislation, including the Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000 (the “ESA”). One of the changes garnering significant attention is the introduction of new provisions concerning an employee’s right to disconnect from work. […]
Can my social media activism put my job in jeopardy?
In an ongoing series by the Toronto Star, Associate Mika Imai offers her opinion on the potential employment-related ramifications of activism on social media. Read the full Toronto Star article here.
Explaining the Changes to the Temporary Layoff Provisions of ESA
Caveat: The information below is not legal advice. The Regulation is ambiguous in parts and exemptions apply. — As we reported earlier, on May 29, 2020, the Ontario government amended the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (the “ESA”) through Ontario Regulation 228/20. The stated purpose is to prevent businesses from “unsustainable termination costs” and facilitate the […]
Significant Changes to Temporary Layoff Provisions of ESA
On May 29, 2020, the Ontario government introduced Regulation O. Reg. 228/20: Infectious Disease Emergency Leave. The new regulation re-characterizes certain layoffs related to COVID-19 as an emergency leave under the Employment Standards Act. We are still reviewing the newly introduced legislation and will have further details on the impact for employees and employers. Wondering […]