Bullying in the workplace is illegal. In spite of the law, reporting a bully can be a very scary step. You run the risk of retaliation if the bully is a senior or valued employee. Almost always, you will require legal assistance to navigate this minefield.
The Summary Judgement is a cost effective court procedure that allows lawyers to fast track settlement of wrongful dismissal lawsuits. They level the playing field for employees by taking away the fear of long and drawn-out legal battles with employers, who might have deep pockets.
Bill 148 requires employers to classify workers as employees, dependent contractors or independent contractors. Provincial laws protect dependent contractors just like employees. However, the Federal Income Tax Act does not yet recognize dependent contractor status. What should you do if the CRA wrongfully assesses you as an independent contractor when you are a dependent contractor?
Recognizing the Signs of an Unlawful Layoff | Layoffs must meet very specific conditions outlined in the Employment Standards Act. Some employers cycle their employees through random sham layoffs, making work schedules and income so unpredictable that employees end up quitting in frustration. This is a common cost saving tactic during economic downturns to avoid termination pay.
Nothing can be more distressing to a woman than getting fired while pregnant. Pregnancy and parenting affect the productivity of our fast-paced and competitive workplaces, leaving pregnant women particularly sensitized to the subject of job security. And this is specifically why our employment laws protect pregnant women more than any other employee.
Ontario’s employment laws have been updated to uphold the rights of a workforce increasingly employed in the “gig economy”, with contract, part-time and temporary work. Today, employers must be clear about the status of their temps. As Dependent Contractors, they are not inferior to employees. Misclassifying them as “independent contractors” is unlawful.