Friday, July 23rd, 2010
Elsa Torrejon was diagnosed in early 2009 with breast cancer. After telling her employer about her illness and requesting an indefinite leave to receive treatment for breast cancer, she found herself dismissed and fighting for her human rights.
Read the rest of this post »Tuesday, July 20th, 2010
I am often asked by HR Managers and other supervisory personnel how long an employee can be off work due to illness before he is deemed to have abandoned his position. Many HR people question whether they have to retain the opening indefinitely where there is no reliable prediction as to when an employee will return to work. The issue is important in that…
Read the rest of this post »Monday, June 7th, 2010
Despite such pressing topics as the fast-approaching Bill 168 changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, almost certainly the biggest topic this year was the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). I mean, you’ve already prepared your organization for Bill 168, right—and it wasn’t too painful, was it? Well, the AODA Customer Service Standard is going to creep up quickly, too, and it will change the way you do business.
Read the rest of this post »Friday, June 4th, 2010
I recently read an article on “hazing” and “horseplay” in the workplace. Photos and videos revealed incidents where employees were subjected to some very unusual, and downright unacceptable, treatment in the transportation and works department of their municipal employer.
Read the rest of this post »Friday, May 28th, 2010
An employee who hates working and being managed by his or her supervisor – Can this become a human rights issue in the workplace? Well it depends!
Read the rest of this post »Friday, May 21st, 2010
Are you ready for the Customer Service Standard under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act?
Read the rest of this post »Monday, May 17th, 2010
I am on holiday in Montreal and delighted to see the city blanketed with banners announcing “International Day Against Homophobia.” A human rights issue…
Read the rest of this post »Friday, May 14th, 2010
New human rights procedures came into effect in Ontario in mid-2008, and we’re beginning to see the results of the changes. Session Two at First Reference’s Ontario Employment Law Conference, June 2, 2010, will look at the following topics…
Read the rest of this post »Friday, May 14th, 2010
What can an employer do when an employee has been off work for a significant period of time due to a disability (illness or injury)? How long must the employee remain employed with the employer under human rights law? These are questions often asked by employers and human resources professionals.
Read the rest of this post »Wednesday, May 12th, 2010
My colleagues and I recently made fun of the possible employment law issues that could come out of the implementation of full-body scanners as a form of screening device for airport security. But I never expected this, and so soon.
Read the rest of this post »Tuesday, May 11th, 2010
There is training, and then there is engaging training…
Read the rest of this post »Monday, May 10th, 2010
When you think of human rights, what comes to mind? Is it equality and basic rights for all? Or is it an intrusion into your business operations? Maybe you consider human rights a challenging opportunity, or just another way for employees to take advantage of employers in court. The Canadian Human Rights Commission wants employers to understand that human rights law and isn’t just about punishing employers; it’s about promoting equality, diversity and compromise, as well as business productivity, efficiency and growth.
Read the rest of this post »Friday, May 7th, 2010
What can employers do in their workplace to prevent discrimination against employees who have disabilities?
Read the rest of this post »Monday, May 3rd, 2010
With allegations of racial profiling in Arizona’s new immigration law abuzz throughout the media this week, it was interesting for me to come upon the speaking notes for a recent speech by the Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission; the speech brings the issue closer to home.
The stated intent of the Arizona law is to ensure the security and well-being of American citizens living in Arizona, by protecting them from illegal immigrants and drugs. The new law requires local and state law enforcement to question people they suspect are in Arizona illegally about their immigration status. It also makes it a state crime to be in Arizona illegally; meaning, immigrants unable to produce documents showing they are allowed to be in the United States could be arrested, jailed for up to six months and fined $2,500 US, and ultimately deported.
Back in Canada, the CHRC Chief Commissioner’s speech discussed a study that will examine Safety Management Systems, which consist in part of behavioural recognition techniques, a vital element of aviation security screening. It’s a whole other issue to racial profiling you might say, but it’s one that is similar and aiming at safeguarding national security.
Read the full article on Slaw.ca.
Read the rest of this post »Wednesday, April 28th, 2010
What exactly constitutes a “disability” under human rights legislation?
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