Navigating the world of workplace stress and leave policies can be confusing, especially when you’re dealing with stress leave. In Ontario, like many other places, there are specific guidelines and policies to ensure employees are supported during tough times. In this article, we’ll break down what stress leave is, how it fits into the...

    When an employee leaves work, it is imperative for the employer to promptly provide an accurate Record of Employment (ROE). This document is crucial for accessing Employment Insurance (EI) entitlements under the Employment Insurance Act. It supplies Service Canada with the necessary details to determine the appropriate EI benefits and entitlements, including the...

  Most employees are entitled to take up to two days of unpaid, job-protected leave each calendar year due to the death of certain family members, a provision known as bereavement leave. Specific occupations may be subject to special rules. Employees qualify for up to two days of bereavement leave per year after working for...

  Meal Break Law in Ontario Workers in Ontario are entitled to meal breaks while at work. Under Ontario’s Employment Standards Act, a worker is prohibited from working more than 5 consecutive hours of work without a 30-minute meal break. Also, you have a choice! You can take multiple shorter break periods instead of one...

They are more short-service employees in our economy today than ever before. Employees often ask me whether the severance package they received is fair. It depends on the circumstances, the employment contract and what they have been offered. However, understanding your rights and entitlements is crucial. More employees than ever are leaving good jobs for...

  Never Sign an Employment Contract Without Legal Review! Clients often tell me that they wish they knew what they signed. They felt under pressure to sign the contract. When they get let go – they realize how oppressive the contract really was. The truth is signing an employment contract without a thorough review by...

A client called me this week and asked: can I get paid overtime if I’m a salaried employee? It was a great question. The truth is, you can still receive overtime pay as a salaried employee! The Employment Standards Act (ESA) make clear the rules regarding this matter. What constitutes Overtime Pay? The rule for...

Time Theft in Ontario The term “time theft” carries a heavy connotation, suggesting that an employee’s misconduct is exceptionally severe and equates to criminal behavior. However, this language framing has been scrutinized by arbitral jurisprudence. In Grand & Toy Ltd. v. United Steelworkers of America, Local 9197 (Natal Grievance), Arbitrator Paul Craven argued that the...

    If you’re a TD employee that has lost their job – I understand how difficult this moment is for you but do not sign the release. In Canada, non-unionized employees at TD Bank can get up to 24 months of severance pay when they are fired or laid off from their job. This...

  Terminated from TD? Termination is never easy, and recently, many TD CanadaTrust employees in Ontario have found themselves facing this unsettling reality. If you’re one of them, you may have questions about your rights and what comes next. As an Ontario employment lawyer, I want to let you know how to navigate this situation...