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Mayor Rob Ford and Addictions in the Workplace

After months of denial, last night the Mayor of Toronto, Rob Ford, admitted to using crack cocaine while holding public office.  According to a CBC article, he explained this lapse of judgment as something that he probably did while he was “in one of his drunken stupors.”  Notwithstanding the admission of  wrongdoing and the implicit admission that […]

Wal-Mart Fires Employee – Pet Lovers Beware

On July 11, 2013, Carla Cheney, a Wal-Mart employee in Kemptville, Ontario, was fired from her job after she confronted a customer who had left a dog in his truck before she commenced her shift. Later that day, she was fired. Wal-Mart stated that the “associate was absolutely not let go for trying to help […]

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 […]

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. […]

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.

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 […]

Privacy Protection in Workplace

  Privacy in the workplace requires a balance between employer and employee rights. A recent decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal has expanded privacy protections in the workplace by creating a new privacy tort. The decision has far reaching implications for privacy in the workplace. At paragraphs 67-68 of the decision, Justice Sharpe commented: […]

Human Rights Complaints in the Workplace

Seventy-seven percent (77%) of all applications received by the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal in 2010-2011 arose in the workplace.[i] Presentation by David Wright, Associate Chair of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario to the Human Resources Professional Association, January 2012. Colleen Hoey is an Ottawa-based lawyer practicing in the areas of Employment Law, Human Rights Law, […]

Employers Must Accommodate Childcare Obligations

Human rights legislation prohibits an employer from discriminating against an employee on the basis of “family status”. Does this protection require an employer to modify a work schedule or refuse a work assignment due to child care obligations? In Canadian National Railway v. Seeley, 2013 FC 117, the Federal Court of Canada confirms that family […]

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