Attendance Management and Innocent Absenteeism:

Stephen Bird of Bird Richard will discuss the mechanisms of applying an attendance management program and the complexities of dealing with absences related to disabilities. He will review recent developments and jurisprudence from the Supreme Court of Canada, and how this has changed the landscape for employers in successfully dealing with employees who have excessive […]

What’s New at Bird Richard

We are pleased to announce that Caroline Richard was admitted to the Bar of Nunavut on December 9, 2009.

Legislative Update: Bill 168 Passed

In the Summer issue, we reported on proposed changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Act that would create onerous obligations for employers relating to the prevention of workplace violence. Bill 168, which was introduced in April 2009, was carried on division after its third reading on December 9th, 2009. It will come into force […]

Legislative Update

In the Spring 2009 issue, we reported on changes to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 that provides increased protection for temporary workers. Bill 139 came into force on November 6th, 2009.

Preparing Your Workplace for Ontario’s Cell Phone Ban

Amendments to the Highway Traffic Act (“the Act”) that ban the use of cellular phones and other electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle came into effect on October 26th, 2009. Below is a summary of the amendments, and methods by which employers can prepare their workplaces for compliance with the new legislation. The Ban […]

Child Pornography Reporting Soon to be Mandatory for Employers

Bill 37, the Child Pornography Reporting Act, 2008, received Royal Assent on December 10th, 2008. The Bill places potentially onerous reporting obligations on employers. The new legislation will add a definition of “child pornography” to Ontario’s Child and Family Service Act (“the Act”). The definition is parallel (though not identical) to the definition found in […]

Supreme Court Issues Decision in Wal-Mart Closure Case

In Plourde v. Wal-Mart Canada Corp. (released November 27th, 2009), the Supreme Court of Canada found for Wal-Mart and confirmed that a recently certified employer has no legal obligation under labour legislation to stay in business, and that a closure of one of its locations can constitute sufficient reason for the termination of the employees […]