More on employer pandemic consequences in Canada: key “group” termination considerations

John MastorasRuoxi WangNatasha HyppoliteMargaret McConnellStéphane EricksonBy John Mastoras, Ruoxi Wang, Natasha Hyppolite, Margaret McConnell and Stéphane Erickson on Posted in Canada, Coronavirus

As many employees gradually return to the physical workplace or jobsite, governments are encouragingly lifting restrictions on employers. Indeed, nearly one million people in Canada found jobs between May and June. Nonetheless, employers across the country are continually reassessing how to best position themselves for what remains an uncertain future.

In some cases, the need to adapt and maintain operational capacity may require employers to consider group or mass terminations. Generally, mass terminations are governed by applicable labour standards legislation and regulations. To that end, remember that in Canada each jurisdiction has slightly different rules regarding group terminations. This piece … Continue Reading

US: Coming soon – New York State employers should prepare for paid sick leave law to take effect in September

David Gallai (US)Rachel Kurth (US)By David Gallai (US) and Rachel Kurth (US) on Posted in North America, United States

As part of the most recent New York State budget, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law a new mandatory paid sick leave program affecting all New York employers. Under the law, all New York employers will need to provide their employees with paid or unpaid sick leave (whether or not related to the COVID-19 pandemic) as follows:

  • For employers with 100 or more employees, up to 56 hours of paid sick leave per year must be provided to each employee.
  • For employers with between five and 99 employees, and for employers with fewer than five employees but with a net
… Continue Reading

Une grève illégale qui coûte cher : la faute d’omission d’un syndicat québécois le contraint à verser 9,9 millions $

Jonathan DeschampsBy Jonathan Deschamps on Posted in Canada, Québec

Dans une décision rendue le 11 juin 2020[1], la Cour supérieure du Québec  a accueilli en partie une action collective à l’encontre de la Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec – Construction (FTQ‑C). Cette action collective vise, à titre de membres du groupe, les travailleurs et les employeurs comptant moins de 50 salariés qui ont été privés de travail ou de salaire à la suite de débrayages illégaux survenus sur plusieurs chantiers de construction au Québec à l’automne 2011. Il est reproché à la FTQ-C d’avoir encouragé et incité les travailleurs à participer à ces … Continue Reading

CHRT paves the way for more efficient, adaptable Rules of Procedure in federal human rights sphere

Stéphane EricksonDenyse BouletBy Stéphane Erickson and Denyse Boulet on Posted in Canada

The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (Tribunal) has published a number of proposed changes (Proposed Changes) to the current Rules of Procedure (Rules). According to the Tribunal, the Proposed Changes will be published shortly in the Canada Gazette, Part I.  However, some delays in publishing the Proposed Changes may occur due to COVID-19-related reasons.

What is the general intent of the Proposed Changes?

The Proposed Changes include the modernization of service and filing methods, and promote overall efficiency during proceedings. Specifically, the Proposed Changes are intended to provide parties with more efficient ways to bring and respond to complaints, and to … Continue Reading

Tribunal canadien des droits de la personne : Vers des Règles de pratique plus efficaces et plus souples

Denyse BouletStéphane EricksonBy Denyse Boulet and Stéphane Erickson on Posted in Canada

Le Tribunal canadien des droits de la personne (« Tribunal ») a publié les changements qu’il se propose d’apporter (« changements proposés ») à ses Règles de pratique actuelles (« règles »). Selon le Tribunal, les changements proposés seront bientôt publiés dans la Partie I de la Gazette du Canada. Toutefois, en raison de la COVID‑19, des retards sont à prévoir.

Quel est le but général visé par les changements proposés?

Ils portent notamment sur la modernisation des modes de signification et de dépôt et favorisent en général l’efficacité des procédures en offrant aux parties des façons plus efficaces … Continue Reading

Professional Cyclist held not to be an employee or a worker

Amanda Sanders (UK)By Amanda Sanders (UK) on Posted in Contracts, General, UK

The EAT has held that an employment tribunal was entitled to conclude that a professional cyclist was not an employee or a worker of the British Cycling Federation. In Varnish v British Cycling Federation (t/a British Cycling) the claimant had commenced proceedings before an employment tribunal claiming, amongst others, unfair dismissal and discrimination.  The preliminary consideration for the employment tribunal was whether the claimant was an employee or a worker within the meaning of s230 Employment Rights Act 1996.

The claimant had entered into a series of written “Athlete Agreements” with British Cycling (the respondent), the last of which was … Continue Reading

Caution for employers: redundancy entitlement when employer changes employment conditions and employee continues working for their employer

David CrossNorah ChafardetBy David Cross and Norah Chafardet on Posted in Australia

The Federal Court of Australia (FCA) recently considered this issue in Broadlex Services Pty Ltd v United Workers’ Union [2020] FCA 867,[1] holding that an employee who was required to transfer her full-time employment to part-time was entitled to redundancy pay, because the employer no longer required the full-time job to be performed by anyone.

Facts

On 1 May 2014, Broadlex Services Pty Ltd (Employer) hired Ms Brizitka Vrtkovski (Employee) as a full-time cleaner.

On 15 August 2017 the Employer informed the Employee that “due to consideration of work flow an … Continue Reading

UK points-based immigration system: Further details announced

Charlotte EmmersonBy Charlotte Emmerson on Posted in General, UK

On 13 July 2020, the Home Office published further details on how the UK’s points-based immigration system will work from 1 January 2021. As set out in the Policy Statement published in February, anyone coming to the UK for work, including EU citizens, will need to demonstrate they meet a specific set of requirements for which they will score points. There is no overall cap on the number who can apply under the Skilled Worker route.

The key change to note is that any employer wishing to employ EU citizens will need to have a sponsor licence and pay the … Continue Reading

Employeurs de l’Ontario : des décrets sur les masques obligatoires sont désormais en vigueur à Toronto et à Ottawa

Stéphane EricksonBy Stéphane Erickson on Posted in Canada, Coronavirus

*La version actualisée du présent billet de blogue peut être consultée, en anglais, en cliquant ici.*

Alors que l’étape 2 permet aux entreprises de l’Ontario de rouvrir et d’accueillir les employés sur le lieu de travail physique, les employeurs et les fournisseurs de services doivent remplir certaines conditions qui ont été récemment annoncées. Depuis le 7 juillet 2020 à 0 h 1, cela inclut le port obligatoire d’un masque couvrant la bouche et le nez pour les membres du public et les employés dans les espaces publics intérieurs des deux plus grandes municipalités de l’Ontario, Toronto (en anglais … Continue Reading

LexBlog