Is a Resignation Really a Resignation?
In Carroll v. Purcee Industrial Controls Ltd, 2017 ABQB 211, the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta (the “Court”) recently decided whether requesting a severance package amounted to a resignation....
Articles
Ontario Court Recognizes New Tort of Harassment – and Employee is Awarded $141,000 in Damages
In one of the first of its kind, a recent Ontario Superior Court of Justice decision found an employer liable for the tort of harassment and awarded significant monetary damages....
Supreme Court Rules Drug-Addicted Worker Terminated for Policy Breach, not Discrimination
The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that an employee’s termination was not discriminatory despite his acknowledged drug addiction in a landmark decision involving drugs in the workplace. Ian Stewart...
Employers don’t Wynne under proposed legislative changes in Ontario and Alberta!
Employers in Ontario and Alberta may be in for some big workplace changes in 2018 – at significant costs to employers. Ontario: On May 30, 2017, Premier Kathleen Wynne announced...
Providing A Reference: If You Can’t Say Anything Nice…
Many employers have a “no reference” policy, refusing to confirm anything but the bare minimum regarding a former employee’s employment – dates of employment and title. This practice stems largely...
The future of litigation? B.C.’s new online small claims adjudication process
As of June 1, 2017, any small claims court disputes in B.C. claiming an amount under $5,000.00 will be adjudicated by the Civil Resolution Tribunal (the “CRT”), an online tribunal....
Ex-Employee Successfully Sued for Comments Online
We’ve seen numerous cases over the years where an employee’s comments and bad behaviour online have led to discipline or even discharge. A recent decision from Quebec shows that there...
When a resignation is too good to be true…
Sometimes a resignation is too good to be true. In order for a resignation to be valid, it must be clear and unequivocal, and the words or actions need to...