Employers | MacLeod Law Firm

Have reasonable notice periods increased during the COVID pandemic?

Doug MacLeod — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 15:40:30 +0000

I will tell anyone who asks – and many people who don’t ask – that every employer should require every employee to sign an employment contract with an enforceable termination clause. More and more employers are doing so, however there are still many employees who have not signed an employment contract with an enforceable termination clause. Particularly because of the Ontario Court of Appeal’s…

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COVID-19 Update: New Ministry of Labour Guidelines for Reopening of Workplaces

Doug MacLeod — Mon, 04 May 2020 13:55:22 +0000

The New Guidelines On Thursday, April 30, the Ontario government issued safety guidelines for employers on how to protect employees as the province prepares for a gradual reopening of workplaces. There are guidelines for five (5) sectors; namely, food services, manufacturing, agriculture, construction and long-term care. The sector guidelines contain recommendations and tips for employers…

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COVID-19: What a Difference A Month Makes

Doug MacLeod — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 13:12:36 +0000

In over 30 years I have never seen one topic dominate my employment law practice like COVID-19 has over the last three weeks. Some Ontario businesses have gone from working at 100% capacity to 0% because the Ontario government has declared these businesses as non-essential and working remotely is not possible. Other businesses have slowed down but can continue to operate because work from…

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I Do Not Like Employee Handbooks. I do not like them, Sam-I-Am.

Doug MacLeod — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 14:01:26 +0000

As long time readers of this blog are aware, I recommend that an employer require that all new hires sign an employment contract with an enforceable termination clause. When speaking with a client about other terms of employment that can be included in an employment contract, I always ask whether the organization has an Employee Handbook. Why Employee Handbooks Often Offend My Legal…

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Can an Employee Stop an Employer from Hiring a Job Applicant?

Doug MacLeod — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 12:56:05 +0000

In a recent case, a female employee asked her employer not to hire a male executive because he had sexually harassed her when he had been employed earlier. The employer refused, the employee quit, and claimed, among other things, wrongful dismissal damages and punitive damages. This case deals with the conflict between an employer’s right to hire whomever it wishes and its obligation to provide…

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What’s New at the MacLeod Law Firm

Doug MacLeod — Tue, 05 Mar 2019 16:09:17 +0000

New Website I am pleased to inform you that we have updated our website. You can check it out by clicking here. Nominated as Top Labour & Employment Law Firm For the second year in a row, the MacLeod Law Firm has been nominated as top Canadian labour and employment law boutique in the Canadian HR Reporter Readers’ Choice Awards. If you wish, you can vote for us at question 27 of the…

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ESA Termination Clauses: Another One Bites the Dust

Doug MacLeod — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 15:27:23 +0000

If you include a termination clause in your employment contracts that limits notice of termination to Employment Standards Act (“ESA”) minimums, then read on. This blog summarizes a case decided last month where the courts again refused to enforce an ESA termination clause. The Employee Catherine Bergeron signed a contract with the following termination clause before starting her $ 90 000 job…

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Why Employers need a Discrimination-Free Workplace Policy

MacLeod Law Firm — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 14:38:39 +0000

Although a workplace anti-discrimination policy is not mandatory in Ontario, we recommend it. If a complaint about discrimination is brought forward, employers can rely on the policy to help address the issue and follow predetermined steps. This type of policy can protect an employer if litigation is commenced by an employee about discrimination. Employer discrimination policies are reviewed and…

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Investigating Workplace Harassment Complaints: Get Ready for Changes to the OHSA

Doug MacLeod — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 11:20:11 +0000

“Bob is harassing me.” Your spidey senses should be tingling. Because some kind of investigation should be taking place soon. If not, consider what happened when an employee at CBC complained about Jian Ghomeshi and was ignored or when an employee at the TO2015 Pan American games complained about David Peterson and her complaint was allegedly not taken seriously. Immediately after you are told…

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Employer Update: Ontario Government Announces New Employer Laws

Doug MacLeod — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 13:55:23 +0000

Important update for employers – on November 6, 2014, Bill 18, the Stronger Workplaces for a Stronger Economy Act, 2014 received third reading at the Ontario legislature. When Bill 18 receives Royal Assent several significant changes will take effect that will benefit employees. Here are 5 of these changes: 1. Minimum wage. Starting October 1, 2015, the minimum wage will increase each year in an…

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