Racist Facebook Comment About Co-Worker: Employees Can Be Liable for Actions Outside the Office
There was recently a case about an employee who posted racists comments about her co-worker on her Facebook profile that we thought was interesting because it raises the question: can one employee hold a co-worker accountable for the things they say or do on social media? On August 1, 2012, Oscar Perez-Moreno, a manager at […]
Can you get fired for NOT taking your breaks?
Ah…the age old question, how do you impress your boss? To achieve this end, many people are inclined to work through their breaks and even lunch hours to show how effective and hard working they are. However, it seems that going that extra mile may be a thing of the past. Employers growing concerns surrounding […]
Starting a New Job? What to Consider When Reviewing Your Employment Contract.
1. Start Date Take the time to read the employment contract before you sign and before you start working. 2. Termination Clause This is the part of the contract that sets out how much notice the employer will give you if the decision is made that it is time to part ways. Often the clause […]
Laughter at the Workplace: Good Fun or Harassment?
Over the past year, I have been an Executive on the Board for the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA) – Brockville Chapter. It has been a great experience, and the folks on this Board are truly passionate and committed human resources professionals. On May 8, 2013, I attended the Annual Business Meeting for the Chapter. […]
Jason Collins “Comes Out”: What are Employers’ Obligations Re: Sexual Orientation of Employees?
Jason Collins became the first professional athlete from a major professional sports league in North America to reveal that he is gay. This provides us with a good opportunity to consider an employer’s obligations in the workplace when an employee “comes out.” Employees in Ontario are protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code and a […]
Workplace Policies on Mobile Devices
The number of workplace policies that employers need to develop is constantly multiplying. Recently, the need for a Bring Your Own Device Policy is appearing in articles dealing with workplace issues.
Employee’s Duty to Mitigate Damages
It is a general principle of employment law that an employee who is terminated from employment is required to make reasonable efforts to find other sources of income or “mitigate their damages”. Generally, income that is earned by an employee after he or she is terminated from employment during a reasonable notice period is deducted […]
Job Protection when Family Members are Sick or Terminally Ill
Have you ever wondered what would happen to your job if a family member got sick and needed you to care for them? What Protections Are Available Now if a Family Member Gets Sick: Family Medical Leave? Currently, if a family member is terminally ill an employee, whether full time, part time or under a […]
Restrictive Covenants in Employment Contracts
A recent court decision reaffirmed that employers need to be careful when drafting restrictive covenants, commonly known as non-compete clauses. In a recent decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal, Mason v. Chem Trend Ltd. Partnership, 2011 ONCA 344, the court considered the enforceability of a restrictive covenant in an employment agreement and the need […]