legal advice

Not all releases are created equal

September 24, 2012 Alison J. Bird Employment/Labour Standards, Human Resources

A recent case from Ontario is cautioning employers to think twice before relying on a release from an employee to shield them from a future wrongful dismissal claim.

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Responding to a human rights complaint

September 5, 2012 Andrew Lawson Human Resources, Human Rights

As an employer it is always possible that your organization will become involved in a human rights complaint— most likely as the respondent. Being the respondent means that a complaint has been filed against you, probably by an employee, former employee, customer or other member of the general public. You must respond in writing to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) within 35 days in order to preserve your legal rights.

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General employment, health and safety information is not legal advice

October 26, 2010 Andrew Lawson Health and Safety, Human Resources

I recently received feedback from a reader stating “I checked with the Ministry of Labour and you don’t need two separate policies to meet your workplace violence and harassment obligations. Your information is wrong.” Always question information you read or are given, double check it, triple check it and then make up your own mind about how you are going to proceed. However, it does not make the information in itself wrong.

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