Looking to stay up to date on the latest news and information regarding employment law and how it impacts your workplace situation. Use our information centre to find informative blogs, media commentary, Globe and Mail articles and other helpful resources to ensure you understand your workplace rights.

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If the behaviour of another at work has made it impossible for you to remain working in that environment, you may be a victim of workplace harassment and bullying. Workplace harassment and bullying can take on many forms of behaviour such as violence, intimidation, threats – verbal or written, offensive or inappropriate jokes, inappropriate teasing, inappropriate touching, offensive gestures, insults, public shaming/embarrassment.

Featured image for “CP24’s Patricia Jaggernauth Alleges Racial and Gender Discrimination”

CP24’s Patricia Jaggernauth Alleges Racial and Gender Discrimination

Recently Patricia Jaggernauth, a former Bell Media employee, filed a complaint under the Canadian Human Rights Act (the “Act”), with…

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Lisa LaFlamme And Age Discrimination In The Workplace

Bell Media, the parent company of CTV News, announced today that it would conduct a workplace investigation of the recent…

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Workplace Age Discrimination is on The Rise

Special to The Globe and Mail Workplace age discrimination is on the rise. But it can be difficult to detect.…

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Featured image for “Case for Terminating Workers Who Engage in Sexual Harassment is Stronger Than Ever”

Case for Terminating Workers Who Engage in Sexual Harassment is Stronger Than Ever

Special to The Globe and Mail The case for terminating workers who engage in sexual harassment is stronger than ever.…

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Featured image for “Jennifer Valentyne Alleges Gender Discrimination in the Workplace”

Jennifer Valentyne Alleges Gender Discrimination in the Workplace

Jennifer Valentyne, a Canadian broadcast personality, has recently spoke out against her alleged experience of gender discrimination in the workplace,…

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Featured image for “OHL Vaccination Policy – Mandatory Vaccination Policies of OHL and NFL”

OHL Vaccination Policy – Mandatory Vaccination Policies of OHL and NFL

The Ontario Hockey League (“OHL”) has recently released its COVID-19 vaccination policy, which requires all OHL Community Members to be…

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Featured image for “Fired While Pregnant or Upon Returning from Maternity Leave?”

Fired While Pregnant or Upon Returning from Maternity Leave?

Special to The Globe and Mail For many working women across Canada, a worst-case scenario is beginning to unfold as…

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Featured image for “Vaccination Policies at Work: Can You be Fired for Refusing a COVID-19 Vaccine?”

Vaccination Policies at Work: Can You be Fired for Refusing a COVID-19 Vaccine?

Employers’ duty to maintain workplace safety with vaccination policies in place Employers have a duty to provide a safe workplace…

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Featured image for “I Didn’t Get a Raise Because of Child-Care Obligations. Is This Discrimination?”

I Didn’t Get a Raise Because of Child-Care Obligations. Is This Discrimination?

SPECIAL TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL THE QUESTION I am working from home during the pandemic, but I have two…

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Governor General Julie Payette’s Resignation

Governor General Julie Payette announced on Thursday that she would be stepping down following reports of workplace harassment within the…

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Featured image for “Child Care During COVID-19: Workplace Laws For Parents”

Child Care During COVID-19: Workplace Laws For Parents

Daniel Lublin, Special to The Globe and Mail Child care during COVID-19 can be a delicate balancing act for working…

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Featured image for “COVID-19 Vaccination: If We Eventually Find a Vaccine For COVID-19, Can My Employer Force Me To Get It?”

COVID-19 Vaccination: If We Eventually Find a Vaccine For COVID-19, Can My Employer Force Me To Get It?

Daniel Lublin, Partner at Whitten & Lublin Employment lawyers, talked to The Globe and Mail about the requirement of COVID-19…

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Employment Rights During the Coronavirus Outbreak

Understand your employment rights during the Coronavirus outbreak. Employment Lawyer, Daniel Lublin, talks with CP24. Canada’s Finance Minister Bill Morneau…

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Your Work Rights Amid COVID-19 Concerns

COVID-19 concerns are rising around the world, and companies in Canada are now reviewing policies around employee travel and when…

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Featured image for “Coronavirus Outbreak at Work: What The Workplace Needs to Know”

Coronavirus Outbreak at Work: What The Workplace Needs to Know

Coronavirus Outbreak at Work SPECIAL TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL What are the rights and obligations of Canadian employers and…

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Featured image for “Discriminated Against at The Workplace Due to Coronavirus?”

Discriminated Against at The Workplace Due to Coronavirus?

There have been reports of people being discriminated against at the workplace due to Coronavirus along with Xenophobia (dislike of…

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Featured image for “Racism & Discrimination Spreading With The Fear of Coronavirus”

Racism & Discrimination Spreading With The Fear of Coronavirus

The World Health Organization has declared a global emergency for the spread of the Coronavirus from Wuhan, China and the…

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Featured image for “I Got Demoted at Work After Taking a Short Vacation. What Can I Do?”

I Got Demoted at Work After Taking a Short Vacation. What Can I Do?

SPECIAL TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL THE QUESTION I went on vacation for two weeks to get married and came…

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Featured image for “Office Relationships: Recognizing Severity and Appropriate Responses”

Office Relationships: Recognizing Severity and Appropriate Responses

Office relationships are far from uncommon, however, with the rise of #metoo and the scrutiny this has placed on workplace…

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Featured image for “Criminal Records: Can my past come back to haunt me when looking for a new job?”

Criminal Records: Can my past come back to haunt me when looking for a new job?

In order to determine whether a past action can be detrimental to future employment opportunities, one must ask: was the…

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Featured image for “Health and Safety in the Workplace: Heat-related Illness”

Health and Safety in the Workplace: Heat-related Illness

During the summer months, it is important that workers required to work outside or in confined spaces with poor ventilation…

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Featured image for “Separating Misconduct from Discriminatory Grounds of Illness/Disability”

Separating Misconduct from Discriminatory Grounds of Illness/Disability

Human Rights law protects individuals in a workplace setting from being discriminated against on the basis of illness/disability. This applies…

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Featured image for “Are Domestic Workers Hired by Householders Employees?”

Are Domestic Workers Hired by Householders Employees?

Domestic workers are individuals hired in a private household by householders to assist and/or supervise individuals such as children, elderly,…

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Featured image for “Human Rights Law and Recruitment Practices: Does This Apply to Recruitment Agencies?”

Human Rights Law and Recruitment Practices: Does This Apply to Recruitment Agencies?

Hiring practices that have a discriminatory effect upon protected grounds under the human rights law are prohibited. Protected grounds include,…

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Featured image for “Manner of Dismissal Matters: A Case of Sexual Harassment”

Manner of Dismissal Matters: A Case of Sexual Harassment

The manner of dismissal may lead to significantly more costs in damages in any event, and, in particular as will…

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Featured image for “Employee Claiming Adverse Discrimination: Employer’s Knowledge of Disability is Unnecessary”

Employee Claiming Adverse Discrimination: Employer’s Knowledge of Disability is Unnecessary

An employer has the duty to accommodate an employee that is negatively impacted by a workplace policy or requirement due…

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Featured image for “Frustration of Contract and Long Term Disability Benefits”

Frustration of Contract and Long Term Disability Benefits

Employers should be familiar with the concept of frustrated contracts in employment law. Frustration considers what the parties (employer and…

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Featured image for “I am being bullied at work by my boss. What do I do?”

I am being bullied at work by my boss. What do I do?

Question: I am being bullied at work by my boss. What do I do?  She yells at me daily. She…

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Featured image for “What is Ethnic Discrimination in the Workplace?”

What is Ethnic Discrimination in the Workplace?

Ethnic discrimination occurs when an employee is treated different than his or her colleagues based on their ethnicity in a…

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Featured image for “Can attending a white supremacist rally be grounds for dismissal?”

Can attending a white supremacist rally be grounds for dismissal?

After several attendees of last month’s white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va., were outed on social media and then quickly…

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Featured image for “Random Alcohol and Drug Testing Policy: When is this discrimination in Safety Sensitive Workplaces”

Random Alcohol and Drug Testing Policy: When is this discrimination in Safety Sensitive Workplaces

Under human rights law, individuals that suffer from addiction are protected under prohibited grounds of discrimination. For this reason, any…

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Featured image for “When is Domestic Violence an Issue of Workplace Health and Safety”

When is Domestic Violence an Issue of Workplace Health and Safety

It may not be well known, but there are instances where domestic violence is an issue of workplace health and…

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Featured image for “Sexual Harassment After Work Hours – Can a Manager be Disciplined?”

Sexual Harassment After Work Hours – Can a Manager be Disciplined?

It may be commonly perceived that unacceptable conduct in relation to the workplace only extends as far as the physical…

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Featured image for “Important Information for Conducting Criminal Background Checks for Condition of an Employment Offer”

Important Information for Conducting Criminal Background Checks for Condition of an Employment Offer

Employers must treat criminal record checks similarly to other protected grounds of discrimination such as race, religion and so forth.…

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Featured image for “At what point is the duty to accommodate no longer necessary for an employer under human rights law?”

At what point is the duty to accommodate no longer necessary for an employer under human rights law?

Under human rights law, an employer must accommodate an employee if a workplace policy or job requirement effectively discriminates against…

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Featured image for “I felt forced to resign as a result of an illness or disability – what are my entitlements?”

I felt forced to resign as a result of an illness or disability – what are my entitlements?

Disability and Human Rights Law in the Workplace: Employees have the right to be free from discrimination on the basis…

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Featured image for “Medical Marijuana Use in a Safety Sensitive Workplace: Can an Employer Deny an Employee Use?”

Medical Marijuana Use in a Safety Sensitive Workplace: Can an Employer Deny an Employee Use?

Medical marijuana may be prescribed for several medical reasons. Under human rights law in Ontario, workers have a right not…

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Featured image for “Employee Medicinal Marijuana Use and Workplace Policy: What Are the Implications?”

Employee Medicinal Marijuana Use and Workplace Policy: What Are the Implications?

If an employer has a workplace policy that restricts or prohibits the use of medicinal marijuana this could in effect…

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Featured image for “What age discrimination looks like in the workplace”

What age discrimination looks like in the workplace

“We do not want to invest in someone who will retire so soon.” “Perhaps you would benefit from working with…

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Featured image for “5 Things That Make For a Hostile Work Environment”

5 Things That Make For a Hostile Work Environment

A hostile work environment is created when an employer or colleague behaves in such a way that it is difficult…

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Featured image for “What to do about Bullying in the Workplace”

What to do about Bullying in the Workplace

Bullying was unacceptable when you were a kid on the playground.  It is no different that you are adult in…

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Featured image for “Important Internship Laws for Employers and Interns”

Important Internship Laws for Employers and Interns

In 2014, Ontario’s Ministry of Labour conducted an inspection blitz in connection with unpaid internships.  Of the 56 companies investigated,…

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Featured image for “Accommodating Mental Illness in the Workplace”

Accommodating Mental Illness in the Workplace

Accommodating mental illness is an extremely complex area for employers to navigate.  Unlike physical disabilities, the need for a mental…

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Featured image for “Know Your Religious Rights in the Workplace”

Know Your Religious Rights in the Workplace

Employees have a right to be free from discrimination in the workplace that is based on their religious rights. Discrimination…

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Featured image for “Bias in the Workplace”

Bias in the Workplace

Bias in the workplace is often problematic but it is not on its own illegal. For example, it is not…

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Featured image for “Recognizing Signs of Discrimination in the Workplace”

Recognizing Signs of Discrimination in the Workplace

The most common form of discrimination in the workplace is not immediately obvious and you may not even realize that…

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Featured image for “What You Need To Know About Medical Marijuana in the Workplace”

What You Need To Know About Medical Marijuana in the Workplace

Many people are prescribed marijuana to cope with health conditions, such as chronic pain, cancer, and sleeping disorders.  As the…

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Featured image for “The Rise of Age Discrimination Lawsuits and Their Effect on Employers & Employees”

The Rise of Age Discrimination Lawsuits and Their Effect on Employers & Employees

Age discrimination is where an employee is treated differently, or unequally, in the workplace on the basis of his or…

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Featured image for “Constructive Dismissal in Ontario: What Qualifies and Do You Have A Case?”

Constructive Dismissal in Ontario: What Qualifies and Do You Have A Case?

Very simply, constructive dismissal is when an employer makes fundamental changes to an employee’s job that are unfavorable to the…

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Equal opportunity employment

Equal opportunity employment is important and is in line with the employment equity goals of the Charter of Rights and…

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Featured image for “Can an Employer Terminate an Employee Who is Ill?”

Can an Employer Terminate an Employee Who is Ill?

Question: I was fired through email, while undergoing cancer treatment!  I believe I was let go because I had to…

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Featured image for “Fired from Your Job Based on Discriminatory Ground”

Fired from Your Job Based on Discriminatory Ground

QUESTION #3 I have been fired from my job because my employer told me I don’t fit into their culture.…

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Featured image for “Changes to the Human Rights Code and its impact”

Changes to the Human Rights Code and its impact

In light of the 2008 changes to the Human Rights Code (Code), it is possible for an employee to file…

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Featured image for “Addictions in the workplace- can I fire my alcoholic employee?”

Addictions in the workplace- can I fire my alcoholic employee?

The workplace environment brings a number of people together under one roof which may include employees with addictions. There are…

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Featured image for “Should I tell prospective employers about my disability?”

Should I tell prospective employers about my disability?

Disability is a factor that can affect your job search efforts.  For instance, there are disabilities classified as “invisible” disabilities…

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Featured image for “Termination following operation is legal?”

Termination following operation is legal?

Termination of employment following sick leave can result in a discrimination claim. People in general are entitled to address their…

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Featured image for “Employment and accomodation for your injury”

Employment and accomodation for your injury

No one can decide the best timing for an injury.  When your employment and employment duties become affected by your…

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Featured image for “Your employment rights regarding mental illness therapy”

Your employment rights regarding mental illness therapy

An employer-employee relationship can be impacted as a result of mental illnesses.  Depending on the diagnosis, these illnesses sometimes require…

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Featured image for “Dealing with unpleasant issues in the workplace”

Dealing with unpleasant issues in the workplace

In almost every workplace you will find employees with different backgrounds, habits and styles that can be distracting or annoying,…

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Featured image for “More tips for lawsuit-free corporate holiday party”

More tips for lawsuit-free corporate holiday party

Kate MacNamara, CBC’s Business Columnist, shared Daniel Lublin’s tips for lawsuit-free corporate holiday parties during radio interviews across the country.…

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Featured image for “Bill 127 – Expanding the Code to Add Genetic Protection”

Bill 127 – Expanding the Code to Add Genetic Protection

The Addition of Genetic Characteristics Bill 127, a private member’s bill, is currently before the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, and,…

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Featured image for “The City of Windsor: Terminating an Employee with a History of Unacceptable Conduct”

The City of Windsor: Terminating an Employee with a History of Unacceptable Conduct

The City of Windsor was Justified In another example of adjudicators becoming decreasingly tolerant of threats of violence in the…

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Gender Discrimination Claims

Gender Discrimination Claims in the Bank of America Last Friday, Bank of America agreed to a settlement of an ongoing…

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Featured image for “Employer Justified in Firing Disabled Employee over Poor Performance”

Employer Justified in Firing Disabled Employee over Poor Performance

Firing Disabled Employee After a Car Accident The Alberta Human Rights Commission recently upheld an employer’s decision to terminate a disabled…

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Featured image for “Sports Bar Must Pay Damages After Firing Pregnant Waitress”

Sports Bar Must Pay Damages After Firing Pregnant Waitress

The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario An Ontario sports bar was recently ordered to pay nearly $20,000 in damages to…

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Featured image for “Recruitment: Is Your Photo more Important than Your Résumé?”

Recruitment: Is Your Photo more Important than Your Résumé?

There are all sorts of dating websites out there that might shock you.  Ones exclusively for millionaires, ones where people…

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Featured image for “RCMP’s sexual harassment allegations”

RCMP’s sexual harassment allegations

An RCMP spokesperson faces allegations of sexual harassment by former employee who has been on sick leave for 2 years,…

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Featured image for “Your Options for Maternity Leave Complaints”

Your Options for Maternity Leave Complaints

When you decide to make a complaint against your employer for something that happened while on maternity leave or pregnant,…

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Featured image for “Pregnancy rights in the workplace”

Pregnancy rights in the workplace

What does an employer need to keep in mind when dealing with an employee who announces her pregnancy?  In the…

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Featured image for “Pregnant and discriminated- what are your rights?”

Pregnant and discriminated- what are your rights?

How do you recognize if you have been discriminated against while pregnant or on maternity leave?  Have you been treated…

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Featured image for “Supreme Court Rules Against Random Workplace Alcohol Testing”

Supreme Court Rules Against Random Workplace Alcohol Testing

On Friday, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) released its eagerly awaited decision in Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada, Local 30…

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Featured image for “The Answers to Your Maternity Leave Questions”

The Answers to Your Maternity Leave Questions

Pregnancy and Parental leave rights and entitlements can be confusing.  Knowing where to look to find information is the first step.…

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Featured image for “Fired While on Maternity Leave”

Fired While on Maternity Leave

Is Your Job Safe? Do you think your job is safe while you are on maternity or parental leave and…

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Featured image for “Dealing with sexual harassment at work”

Dealing with sexual harassment at work

Every employer in Ontario has a legal obligation to provide a workplace free from harassment.  This obligation extends to protecting…

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Featured image for “When the workplace becomes intolerable”

When the workplace becomes intolerable

Most often, employers will need to invest in replacing a good employee not because he or she might leave for…

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Featured image for “When bullying ends up with termination”

When bullying ends up with termination

There is general lack of awareness in the workplace which ofter prevents people from realizing that his/her own boss or…

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Featured image for “I have been bullied at work – do I have a case?”

I have been bullied at work – do I have a case?

Does having a tough boss at work means one is being bullied and harassed or is it just matter of…

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Featured image for “Ex-CEO with Breast Cancer Alleges Discrimination”

Ex-CEO with Breast Cancer Alleges Discrimination

Is it possible for a woman undergoing treatment for breast cancer to successfully manage a multinational corporation?  Apparently, for the…

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Featured image for “Workplace bullying! What are your rights?”

Workplace bullying! What are your rights?

Awareness about workplace bullying is growing in Canada and is becoming one of biggest issues.  If confronted by a bully…

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Featured image for “How to prove workplace bullying and what to do about it”

How to prove workplace bullying and what to do about it

Bullying is repeated emotional, verbal and physical mistreatment that jeopardizes your health, your career, your job. It is behaviour that…

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Featured image for “Your Facebook Password for a Job”

Your Facebook Password for a Job

If you thought the worst question you could get at an interview was to explain one of your weaknesses, think…

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Featured image for “Baby Boomer Decision Likely to be Echoed”

Baby Boomer Decision Likely to be Echoed

The horde of baby boomers primed to leave the workforce presents difficult decisions for HR managers, the most prominent being…

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Featured image for “An Age-old Problem in the Workplace”

An Age-old Problem in the Workplace

With the tidal wave of boomers entering their 60s, a surge in age discrimination is inevitable. These were the words…

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Featured image for “Bullying Brings Down Employees, and Bottom Lines”

Bullying Brings Down Employees, and Bottom Lines

There’s a good chance a bully is blazing a trail of destruction in your workplace and that you’re unknowingly eating…

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Featured image for “Air Canada Flight Grounded by Drunk RIM Execs”

Air Canada Flight Grounded by Drunk RIM Execs

Two intoxicated executives who caused the diversion of an Air Canada flight have been dismissed for unprofessional behavior, the Globe…

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Occupy Unemployment Line

Earlier this week CBC posted an article titled, “Occupy supporter said he was fired”.   Occupy – being a global protest…

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Featured image for “FREE Small Business Seminar!”

FREE Small Business Seminar!

Top Five Staffing Mistakes Managers Make and What to do About It! ————————————————————————————————————————————— Friday, September 23, 2011 8:30 am to…

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Featured image for “It’ll Get You Fired, and Stop You from Getting Hired”

It’ll Get You Fired, and Stop You from Getting Hired

Whether you like it or not, employers are checking your web presence. They are “googling” your name, checking your LinkedIn…

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Featured image for “Wearing a Hijab Could Cost You Your Job”

Wearing a Hijab Could Cost You Your Job

What appears to be at the root of these complaints is Abercrombie’s controversial “Look Policy”, which outlines stringent criteria for…

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Featured image for “Starbucks Addresses Homophobia Allegation”

Starbucks Addresses Homophobia Allegation

“In recent years, there have been many negative outcomes that come from emotionally-driven blog posts, tweets and status updates, but…

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Supercalifragilistic-Please-Pay-me-my-Wages

Namukasa is claiming nearly $200,000. She may not receive that much, but had she filed her claim through the Ministry…

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Featured image for “Don’t Expect Accommodation without Communication”

Don’t Expect Accommodation without Communication

“Not every claim for sick leave leads to a “disability” that must be accommodated.”…

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Featured image for “That Smoke Could be Your Last One (on the Job)”

That Smoke Could be Your Last One (on the Job)

According to a recent article from York Region, smokers cost employers “on average, $3,391 more a year each for health…

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Featured image for “Small victory for transgendered and transsexual individuals”

Small victory for transgendered and transsexual individuals

A brief comment on the passing of Bill C-389, which intends to protect transgendered and transsexual citizens from discrimination.…

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Featured image for “Beauty is in the Eye of the Employer”

Beauty is in the Eye of the Employer

…an employer can choose not to hire bald people, people with tattoos, people with facial piercings, freckles, facial hair, or,…

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Featured image for “Federal Watchdog Goes Into Attack Mode”

Federal Watchdog Goes Into Attack Mode

Employment lawyer Ellen Low comments on the recent issues surrounding Christine Ouimet’s problematic tenure as Integrity Commissioner.…

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Featured image for “Courts May Appoint New Dean to Windsor Faculty of Law”

Courts May Appoint New Dean to Windsor Faculty of Law

If unsuccessful applicants feel they have been discriminated upon, but want the job bad enough, they may still get it.…

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Featured image for “Toronto Police Officer Fired After Filing Harassment Complaint”

Toronto Police Officer Fired After Filing Harassment Complaint

The Toronto Police will have to pay former police constable Ivania Chuvulo $20,000 for failing to provide a harassment-free workplace.…

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Featured image for “Court rules RCMP discriminated against Muslim cadet”

Court rules RCMP discriminated against Muslim cadet

In 2006, we posted an article entitled, “Broad Remedies for Discrimination,” written on the case of Ali Tahmourpour, an RCMP…

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Featured image for “Fired for Undergoing Sex Change”

Fired for Undergoing Sex Change

Chris Ehlers worked as a sales representative for Bohler Uddeholm Africa, a male dominated multinational steel retailer based out of…

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