Not Quite an Eye for an Eye – Judge rules that Employee’s “Kick in the Butt” Excuses Co-Worker’s Punch in the Mouth
Does a “kick in the butt” excuse a punch in the mouth? That was the question facing the Court in […]
Violence and Harassment
MOL Inspector’s “Unclear” Order Required School Board to Revise its Workplace Violence Policy
A Ministry of Labour inspector has ordered an Ontario school board to revise its workplace violence policy, and the Ontario […]
Illegal for Harassment Program to Allow for “Preliminary Assessment”, Early Dismissal, Employee Arguing at OLRB
A provision in a harassment program allowing for a preliminary assessment of complaints, rather than an investigation, and for early […]
Wave of Harassment Cases Coming to OLRB? New Decisions Cause Concern
May an employee, unhappy with how he or she was treated after filing a harassment complaint with the employer, turn […]
Backhoe Operator Swings Worker Around “Four Full Rotations”, Convicted of Criminal Assault
In a bizarre case, a backhoe operator has been convicted of assault under the Criminal Code after he tried, in […]
Attack on co-worker who warned of unsafe behaviour gets employee 4 years in prison
An employee who attacked a coworker who warned of safety issues, has been sent to prison for four years. CBC […]
“Half-hearted and insensitive” response to sexual harassment complaint, flawed investigation, results in $25,000 damage award
A recent case illustrates the importance of conducting a careful, sensitive investigation of sexual harassment complaints. An employer’s “unpardonable” response […]
Fired Employee Failed to Prove that Depression, Harassment Drove him to Fight: Court
An employee who was fired for fighting after being harassed, did not prove that his harassment or depression caused him […]
“Smiley Face”, Friendly Tone Showed E-mail Exchange Not Harassing: Arbitrator
A supervisor’s e-mails to an employee were not harassing, an arbitrator has held, noting the employee’s friendly tone – “great […]
Harassed Employee’s Work Refusal Illegal: Court
An employee did not have a right under occupational health and safety legislation to refuse work due to harassment, a […]
“Simmering Ball of Negativity” Dismissed After Threatening Statements
An arbitrator has upheld the dismissal of a city “traffic operations” employee for threatening statements, a racist comment and one […]
Employee did not have Duty to Intervene to Stop Fight: Court
Does an on-shift-employee have a duty to intervene to stop a fight between members of the public – or between […]