Commentary

There has always been a clear understanding that employers are held responsible for the actions of their managers and supervisors in matters concerning harassment in the workplace. Whether an employer knew that there was harassment going or not, if they do not take action upon learning of the complaint, they […]

We all know that terminating an employee is never going be a party.  It’s especially hard when it’s not a serious performance or “fit” issue……sometimes it’s not even as black and white as that. Think about an employee who has been with you a while…..performance just isn’t there anymore, there’s […]

Time flies, and the holiday season is here once again. That means it’s a time for overeating (“just one more Turtle…okay, six more…”), wondering why you complained so much about the heat during the summer as your frozen hands fumble for car keys, and of course, office parties. Now, I […]

A recent article in the December 8th issue of Globe & Mail reports that BMO is seeing a boom in mergers in the coming year.  If you are one of the fortunate Canadian companies predicted to expand your operations or buy out a competitor in 2011, improve your chances of […]

I recently came across a job ad that said “9 to 5ers need not apply,” and it got me thinking about the idea of workplace productivity. More specifically, it reminded me of how confusing this concept can be, and how many well-intentioned organizations mis-apply it – like the folks who […]

If I have heard it once, I have heard it a million times: “We are a good employer because of (insert reason here)”.  “Insert reason here” ends up a generic, yet positive reason to why you, as an applicant, should be baited to pursue a career with the Company. What […]

(Reposted via Keyser Mason Ball, LLP – http://kmblaw.com/news62.html) Most employers appreciate that terminations must be handled sensitively, carefully and with forethought. However, as employment counsel, we often see mistakes or missteps in the termination process by well-meaning employers. Sometimes these mistakes can be overcome with a generous separation package. In […]

How often does this happen to you?  You receive an email asking everyone on a large list a request for a specific piece of information.  Moments later another email comes in with a reply that is of no importance to you. Think of all the email you receive on any […]

In light of Bill 168 and the uncertainty created by the inclusion of harassment as well as violence in the workplace, Levitt has demonstrated that the ability to manage and not be charged with harassment is getting more difficult even before June 15th.