AI tools are quietly making their way into Canadian workplaces—helping with scheduling, hiring, performance management, and even discipline. But for unionized employers, using AI isn’t just a management decision. It’s a collective bargaining issue.
While only a small percentage of Canada’s workforce is unionized, these workplaces often lead the charge on new standards, so what…
Many companies are now using AI tools to sort through applications, with the goal of saving precious time for human resources teams. But how it’s used is as important as the fact that it’s used.
For some employers, their use of AI is resulting in some major liabilities. While we have yet to see litigation…
If you’re reviewing a termination package that includes a ‘retiring allowance,’ it might sound like a perk tied to retirement. That makes sense, right? Not really.
Despite the name, a retirement allowance in Canada has nothing to do with retirement. In most employment law cases, it simply means money paid to an employee upon or after termination of…
Introduction
As an employer operating in a unionized environment—whether in Ontario or under federal jurisdiction—you may encounter complex workplace disputes involving human rights issues. A common question that arises is whether employees can bypass their union to file a human rights complaint directly.
Historically, the answer was uncertain, and unions were seen as the primary—if…
What Employers Can and Can’t Deduct from Employee Wages in Ontario
Accurate payroll management is essential for employers in Ontario. A common question is: What can we legally deduct from an employee’s wages? The short answer—very little, unless the employee has agreed, or the law requires it.
Ontario’s Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) sets strict rules on wage deductions.…
The threat, uncertainty and financial hardship of U.S. tariffs are causing significant disruption for Canadian businesses – shrinking profit margins, reducing demand, and forcing difficult staffing decisions.
If your business is facing economic uncertainty due to tariffs, temporary layoffs might seem like a reasonable solution. However, employment laws in Canada impose strict rules on layoffs,…
As an employer, understanding the legal framework surrounding employee leaves is crucial to mitigating legal risks and ensuring compliance with employment laws.
Employers may face challenges when making business decisions that impact employees on leave, including questions about whether termination is permissible during a leave of absence.…
Introduction
With Ontario’s provincial election approaching, employers should be aware of their obligations when it comes to allowing employees time off to vote. The Election Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.6 (“Elections Act”) provides clear rules to ensure employees have sufficient time to cast their ballots while balancing their work responsibilities.
This post outlines employee rights to voting…
Underperformance can be a big issue for employers, especially in smaller organizations where every employee’s contribution matters.
There can be serious costs to the business. Before you terminate someone, you need to understand the legal framework in Ontario. Skipping the proper steps can expose your business to claims for wrongful dismissal, which can be even…
If you are a regular reader of our blog, you’ll already know that we’re big advocates of conducting regular audits on your employment contracts.
There are many good reasons for conducting regular audits, along with your legal counsel, but as many employers now know, the termination provision is of particular importance.…
