Is Having an Affair Just Cause?

Is having an affair at work "just cause" for dismissal from employment under Ontario's labour and employment laws?

The question was put to me by a colleague at the time of the David Petraeus scandal, and my initial impression was ‘likely only if precluded by an employee code of conduct, or something similar.’ The case of Reichard v. Kuntz, 2011 ONSC 7460 (CanLII), decided in December of 2011, provides some insight into the topic.

Poorly Drafted Employment Agreement Proves Costly

If a termination provision in an employment agreement does not technically violate the provisions of the Employment Standards Act at the time of termination, but has the potential to do so at other times, is it still enforceable? “No” says the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.

Lying to Obtain Insurance Benefits Just Cause for Dismissal

Is fabricating claims for certain health benefits and then lying about their fabrication “just cause” for dismissal from employment? In the case of Mykki Cavic v. Costco wholesale Canada Limited, 2012 ONSC 5307 (CanLII) the Honourable Justice Carole Brown of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, answered “yes” to that question.

Exclusion Clause Insulates Against Tort Claims

Can a limitation of wrongful dismissal damages clause in an employment agreement insulate individual employees from personal liability at the time of dismissal? "Yes" says the Court of Appeal for Ontario.

The $2.5 Million Dollar Question

Not every employee who finds him or herself suddenly unemployed is entitled to severance pay in Ontario. Although almost all employees are entitled to “notice” of termination (employees on probation may not be entitled to notice, on this point see Probationary Periods and Notice,) significantly fewer are entitled to “severance.” (For a summary of what “notice” of termination entails, and wrongful dismissal generally see What is Wrongful Dismissal?)

Claims to the WSIB for Mental Stress and Workplace Harassment

Can an Ontario worker make a claim to the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) for benefits when the cause of injury is mental stress?

Chronic Absenteeism: Employer Rights and Obligations

(c) istock/Olivier Le Moal

This blog has previously considered the issue of the rights of chronically absent employees. However, there is a flip side to the situation: the rights of employers.

The two most frequently asked questions by employers with respect to the chronically absent are: (1) Can I fire this individual; and (2) If I can fire this employee, how much is it going to cost me?