Lying about absence gives just cause for termination, says Alberta Court of Appeal overturning arbitrator

By Michael Torrance on January 16, 2015 Posted in Canada

In Telus Communications Inc. v Telecommunications Workers Union, an Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench chambers judge quashed the decision of an arbitrator, upholding termination of a grievor terminated for dishonesty surrounding an absence from work. The decision was later upheld by the Alberta Court of Appeal. The grievor had been denied a request for a day off … Continue reading

Dismissal Upheld for Dishonesty and Cover Up of Safety Risks

By Michael Torrance on September 15, 2014 Posted in Canada

In a recent arbitration decision involving a utility company, an Ontario arbitrator reiterated the importance of trust in the employment relationship and upheld the dismissal of a seven-and-a-half-year employee with no disciplinary history for covering up a safety violation. Facts On October 9, 2012 the grievor, a supervisor, was working with his team to remove gaskets from an old generator. It … Continue reading

Post-termination Evidence of Dishonesty Substantiates Just Cause

By Michael Torrance on July 4, 2014 Posted in Canada

A recent decision in British Columbia has found post-termination evidence of just cause for dishonesty discovered in an investigation of an employee that occurred following his termination. The plaintiff in this case was responsible for managing the company’s day-to-day finances and its administrative staff. The Plaintiff had 40 years of experience as an accountant and had worked at the Defendant … Continue reading