Tis the Season to be Wary: Employer Liability for Alcohol Consumption
While employer liability for alcohol consumption is not limited to the festive season, it is during this time of year that employers are more likely ... Continued
Focus on Bonus and Incentive Pay
Executive compensation and bonuses have undergone much scrutiny and criticism in the aftermath of the what is being now called the ‘Great Recession’. The topic ... Continued
Unintended Consequences? Employment Standards Ruling May Undermine Bonus Pay Programs
This past summer, an Employment Standards Branch adjudicator ruled that a former employee was entitled to an award equalling 4% of the bonuses his employer ... Continued
Disciplining Union Officials
A conundrum that unionized employers sometimes face, is whether and in what circumstances they can discipline union officials. When a regular employee becomes a union ... Continued
Sexual Harassment in Consensual Relationships
Many employers have harassment policies and are generally adept at dealing with sexual harassment claims. However, the issue takes a more complex turn when sexual ... Continued
Managing Employees on Disability
One of the most frustrating aspects of managing an employee on a disability leave is the uncertainty surrounding the employee’s return to work. Either the ... Continued
What happened to my bonus?
For some employees, their annual bonus forms a significant part of their employment compensation. Even where the employment contract specifically provides that a bonus is ... Continued
The Health Care Costs Recovery Act: Not Just for Bad Drivers
The Health Care Costs Recovery Act (the “Act“) came into force in BC just over a year ago. Under that legislation, if a person receives ... Continued
Dismissal of Federally Regulated Employees
The concept of unjust dismissal under the Canada Labour Code (the “Code”) is different from, and broader than, the common law concept of wrongful dismissal, ... Continued
Pre-Employment Screening – Legal & Practical Issues Surrounding Criminal Background Checks
Hiring the right employees is essential to the success of a business. Accordingly, the importance of thorough pre-employment screening of job candidates cannot be overemphasized. ... Continued
BC Labour Law in the Context of Business Transactions
There are significant human resources and employment related issues that arise from the purchase, sale or merger of all or part of a business. If ... Continued
Certification – A brief overview
The majority of employers have non-union workforces. Consequently, when their employees become involved in a union certification drive they do not understand their rights and ... Continued