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Bills to enact Pooled Registered Pension Plans

As anticipated, since the federal Pooled Registered Pension Plans Act came into force December 14, 2012, several provinces have followed suit and tabled legislation to implement the new kind of portable deferred income plan, which is designed to provide retirement income to workers and self-employed persons who do not have access to an employer-sponsored retirement pension plan.

 

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Most-viewed articles this week on HRinfodesk

The three most viewed articles on HRinfodesk this week deal with differential treatment in the workplace, how an employee’s dishonesty and breach of confidentiality during a workplace investigation led to termination for cause and how a settlement was easily characterized as a retiring allowance.

 

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How can employers make legitimate deductions from an employees pay under the Ontario Employment Standards Act

A situation that arises all the time is whether an employer can deduct the full amount of a loan, an overpayment, the cost of faulty work, cash shortages or stolen goods or the costs of their uniforms. The issue of employer deductions is governed by section 13 of the Ontario Employment Standards Act (ESA) and a clear understanding of the rules will avoid disputes and potential claims by the employee to the Ministry of Labour, Employment Standards Branch.

 

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Most-viewed articles this week on HRinfodesk

The three most viewed articles on HRinfodesk this week deal with the difficulty of characterizing the employment relationship as that of independent contractor, the taxability of employer-paid membership fees and the high price of age discrimination.

 

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Slaw: Consolidating labour legislation: Proposed Saskatchewan Employment Act

The new Saskatchewan Employment Act clearly defines the rights and responsibilities of employees, employers and unions… The new Act will improve Saskatchewan’s labour legislation to better protect workers, promote growth and increase accountability

 

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Most-viewed articles this week on HRinfodesk

The three most viewed articles on HRinfodesk this week deal with how a probation period is an opportunity to demonstrate skills, an employer’s failure to prevent workplace harassment. and a Human Rights Tribunal decision to reinstate a terminated employee after the employer failed to accommodate.

 

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Employer failed in duty to accommodate by not considering employment beyond pre-injury position

In the recent decision Fair and Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal provides a useful guide for employers to follow in determining how to return an employee to the workplace after an extended absence.

 

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Slaw: The launch of the new Social Security Tribunal

On April 1, 2013, the federal government launched the new Social Security Tribunal…

 

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Most-viewed articles this week on HRinfodesk

The three most viewed articles on HRinfodesk this week deal with the end of production of the Social Insurance Number card, changes to the old age security pension plan and Ontario introducing three leaves of absence to help families.

 

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Employer ordered to provide employment information to former employee

Alberta’s Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner recently heard a case in which an employer refused to provide employee records to a former employee upon request, allegedly claiming that, “legally she does not have to give [the employee] a copy.” The commissioner’s office had little trouble deciding that the employer was wrong and ordered that it proved the requested records to the former employee.

 

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There really is no such thing as a free lunch

The New Brunswick Labour and Employment Board recently decided that an employee was entitled to a paid lunch break because he was working on a boat which not only prevented him from leaving the “worksite” for his lunch break, but also left him operating the boat during his lunch and effectively, under the [...]

 

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Most-viewed articles this week on HRinfodesk

The three most read articles this week on HRinfodesk deal with changes to CPP contributions, workplace safety awareness training programs and plans for mandatory training in 2014, and payroll rates for 2013.

 

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Bonuses and employment/labour standards entitlements

As the managing editor of The Human Resources Advisor and Human Resources PolicyPro, I am often asked for clarification on bonuses and employment/labour standards entitlements. Essentially, should bonuses be included in the calculation of vacation pay and public holiday pay entitlements, and why?

 

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Repeat of HRLaw: End of the year wrap up and other legislative changes effective January 1, 2013

We are repeating this December 21 blog post to ensure employers, human resources professionals, payroll specialists, legal advisors, managers and supervisors among others start 2013 on the right foot.

 

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HRLaw: End of the year wrap up and other legislative changes effective January 1, 2013

Several changes to pension, employment standards, payroll and other legal requirements are coming into force January 1, 2013 or later. Below you will find brief summaries, listed by jurisdiction, of some of the important changes employers need to know about and prepare for: (The post is now updated and includes the new AODA Built environment requirements coming into force January 1, 2013).

 

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