No punches thrown, but employee properly dismissed for yelling, swearing and abusive conduct
An employee need not physically assault a co-worker in order to be dismissed for workplace violence, an arbitrator’s decision shows. […]
Safety – Risk Management
“Who is a supervisor?” Ontario Ministry of Labour releases guideline
Employers often struggle with the question of who is a “supervisor” under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act. The […]
Two company directors jailed 25 days after worker dies, no safety training provided
Rarely are senior corporate officials jailed for health and safety offences in Canada. But recently, two company directors of an […]
Court considers safety, fatigue of replacement workers in granting picketing injunction
A British Columbia judge has considered an employer’s concerns for the safety of replacement workers, in granting an injunction against […]
Ebola Preparedness for Employers: U.S. OSHA Launches Ebola Web Page
The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched an Ebola Web Page for employers providing information on Ebola […]
Trucker who punched customer in the mouth was fired for cause
One would think it self-evident that employees who punch a customer’s employee in the face may be dismissed for just […]
Alberta Employer Liable for Employee’s Negligent Driving of Company Vehicle – Even Though Employer Told Him Not to Drive It
Alberta employers should heed a recent appeal decision in which an employer was held liable for damage caused by an […]
Despite Having WSIB Coverage, Worker Permitted to Sue “Physically Demonstrative” Executive Officer who “Massaged” her Neck
Physically demonstrative managers beware: your company’s workers compensation coverage does not necessarily protect you from lawsuits by employees. Even though […]
“Discipline” included “dismissal”: employer did not breach safety-reprisal settlement when it dismissed employee after harassment investigation
An employer that dismissed an employee after a harassment investigation did not breach a previous safety-reprisal settlement with the employee, […]
No damages awarded for unforeseeable workplace assault, but employer ordered to rewrite harassment policy
The fact that an employee had engaged in harassment did not make it foreseeable that he would assault a coworker, […]
MOL safety blitz results show many new businesses non-compliant with basic requirements
The results of a recent Ontario Ministry of Labour safety blitz shows many new small businesses violate basic legal requirements […]
Employer asks HRTO for permission to access employer’s own “Occupational Health and Claims Management” file on employee
Must an employer obtain permission from the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario to access medical records held in the employer’s […]