Human Resources
Most-viewed articles this week on HRinfodesk
Employee constructively dismissed, but no damages awarded because of failure to mitigate The Ontario Superior Court of Justice just decided that although an employee was constructively dismissed when he was suddenly “laid off,” the employer did not owe the employee any damages because he failed to mitigate his loss. New high-water mark for [...]
Most-viewed articles this week on HRinfodesk
Emergency response plans in the workplace: A recent HRinfodesk poll asked readers if they have an emergency response plan at their workplace. Out of 146 respondents, 105 respondents (72 percent) said they do… Stepping up employment standards enforcement and education: The province of Alberta is proceeding on plans to step up employment standards [...]
Most-viewed articles this week on HRinfodesk
The death knell for human resources? A recent article in the Globe and Mail’s careers section caused me to do a triple-take. It quoted studies indicating that the more an organization seeks to be undiscriminating and merit-based in its employment practices, the less likely it is to achieve those objectives. (In PDF) Just [...]
Most-viewed articles this week on HRinfodesk
The war is over (and you’re fired)! In the history of questionable dismissals of employees, the saga of journalist Edward Kennedy has to rank near the top of the list. Over 65 years after his firing, his former employer has apologized. (In PDF) Is excessive Internet use time theft? It is now common [...]
Organizational behaviour Part I: what is it and why is it important for employers?
Organizational behaviour has been defined as the field of study that investigates the impact that individuals, groups and structures have on behaviour within organizations, particularly workplaces, in order to improve the organization’s effectiveness. But is it important for employers to understand organizational behaviour?
Has your workplace experienced an outbreak of the ‘World Cup Flu’?
Are your employees suffering from the “World Cup Flu”? Are you finding that there is an unusually high rate of absenteeism in your office these days?
Dismissing an employee for cause – are reasons required?
The question of whether an employer should give reasons at the time of dismissal is an important one in employment law…
Competing with former employers
The Ontario Superior Court re-affirmed the freedom of employees to leave their employer and set up a competitive business.
Hours of work: What counts as ‘work’ in the Blackberry era?
I lifted that title from a presentation at the recent Davis LLP employment law update, because I don’t think I need to improve on it. The question seems simple, but I’m certain that it has got many employers and human resources departments wishing the handy devices had never been invented! (Okay, maybe not that confused.)
Can employers prevent workplace suicide?
I was recently reading an issue of SafetyNewsAlert, which indicated that there were over 20 attempted suicides over one year in a single Chinese technology factory—one that manufactures products for Apple, including the iPad, among other things. Out of the 20 attempts, 9 suicides were successful within a period of five months. According to the article, questions are being raised about the sustainability of China’s manufacturing model, which relies on long hours from its workers. Typical workweeks include seven days of twelve hours.
The case of ‘hazing’ and ‘horseplay’ in the workplace continued
In my previous post on hazing and horseplay in the workplace, I referred to a recent incident where photos and videos revealed some very questionable events involving management and employees of the City of Mississauga. Since the acts were potentially criminal, the police became involved and started an investigation. Although some have said that the employees consented to the horseplay and hazing, one may wonder if that was really the case.
Upcoming workplace violence and harassment inspections
Ontario Ministry of Labour health and safety inspectors discuss employers’ responsibilities around workplace violence and harassment…
MOL proactive health and safety inspections really do happen
To our great surprise, First Reference recently got a visit from an Ontario Ministry of Labour Occupational Health and Safety Inspector. I knew we had nothing to worry about; however, it is still unnerving when an inspector comes knocking at the door…
Managers feeling harassed by anti-harassment policies
This case contains an interesting detail of particular interest to managers who feel harassed by health and safety anti-harassment policies…
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Court of Appeal hints that right to strike may be protected by the Constitution
Hi John, Thanks for your comment. Check out paragraph 67 of the decision: "Accordingly, none of what I have written above is to suggest or... – May 22, 4:38 PM
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Court of Appeal hints that right to strike may be protected by the Constitution
This is really spin doctoring the decision. My firm appeared at the Court of Appeal for an intervenor the University of Saskatchewan. Whatever the Supreme... – May 22, 1:00 AM
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