The ESA has been an unhelpful resource for businesses trying to determine who is not an employee but, rather, a contractor in business for themselves. Until now. A recent change to the ESA provides Ontario businesses with a clear checklist for how to identify certain types of consultants as non-employees. So what’s the big deal about the new “consultant” exemption?
As Cynthia Ingram unwraps in this blog, you shouldn’t let first looks dictate your overall impression. Employers who take steps to address unconscious biases on appearance and beauty will build a more positive, inclusive and diverse workplace.
We’ve all seen the headlines about cold, impersonal terminations and the negative impact on employees together with the litigation that ensues. If employers don’t want to see their company name alongside that of Meta, Twitter, Radio Shack and others, this blog offers some do’s and don’ts for economic-based workplace changes.
This blog shares lessons to avoid your workplace becoming a Little Shop of Workplace Horrors.
This blog provides some tips and tricks for developing the Electronic Monitoring Policy (required for Ontario employers with 25+ employees as of October 11, 2022), including strategies for tailoring it to the individual workplace and common pitfalls to avoid.
As of October 11, 2022, the ESA requires Ontario employers with 25+ employees to have a written policy on electronic monitoring. But before the policy writing begins, this blog will address four frequently-asked questions.
As Jennifer Heath notes in this blog, it takes more than just an exaggerated résumé to fool employers these days. What are the risks of hiring a fraudster and how can an employer protect itself?
We have all seen the headlines reporting on employees having said or posted something on social media which is highly inappropriate resulting in discipline or termination of their employment. However, employees are not the only ones engaging in inappropriate use of social media. Employers can very easily fall into that trap as well.
When it comes to technological advancements in the workplace are we seeing history repeat itself? In her new blog, Cynthia Ingram notes some similarities and differences when we look back and to the future.
Over the past few months, the Ontario government has made a series of changes to the province’s approach to COVID-19 management. This blog is intended to serve as an FAQ to some of the key questions from employers about navigating this newer, looser public health strategy.
What is the “right to disconnect”? It’s a misnomer, actually, when it comes to Ontario’s new ESA requirement for a disconnecting-from-work policy. This blog summarizes three basic approaches to writing the disconnecting-from-work policy with helpful tips and strategies, to help employers write the right kind of policy for their workplace.
New year, new, endless to-do list? This blog offers some of the key priorities for Ontario HR and ER professionals from a legal and compliance perspective.
While monetary compensation is certainly attractive and persuasive, today, employees expect much more from their employers. What speaks louder than money? This blog takes a tip from Toronto FC’s playbook and highlights four things that speak volumes for key recruits.
Buddy the Elf says the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear. This blog shows what other lessons employers can learn from Buddy and the movie, Elf.
It’s easy to make a mistake when you’re not paying close attention. Two recent Ontario cases act as a cautionary tale for employers about the importance of paying close attention during terminations. This blog provides an overview of the two cases and offers some tips for employers so that they can avoid harmful mistakes of their own.
The Great Pumpkin respects sincerity, and so should employers. Check out this blog for a discussion and lessons on accommodating an employee’s creed in the workplace.
Over the last few weeks, many large Canadian employers have announced “mandatory vaccination policies”. But as you dig into the details of those policies, you will find that the term “mandatory” has been used liberally. So are these policies really mandatory?
The Olympic games are on the cusp of big changes when it comes to inclusivity and equality in sports. The world is looking at what the athletes are wearing, with dress codes and uniforms sparking increased discussion. The Olympic idea of “what not to wear” offers important reminders for employers. This blog offers a useful employer’s guide to dress codes.
Vacation time (and pay!) is another area where employers need to continue to “expect the unexpected” in 2021. Vacation accrual and usage for the last year-and-a-half has not been normal. This blog discusses 2021 vacation including the application of ESA requirements, dealing with accrued liabilities, IDEL-related issues, and “other weirdness.”
Uber announced its Flexible Work+ plan, in which it provides some of the benefits that its drivers and workers’ rights groups are demanding, but without providing the traditional (expensive) entitlements that come along with full employee status. Is this a flexible work plan or a circumvention of employment laws?
