Tag archives: Employment

Stricter COVID-19 rules at German workplaces

Photo of Frank WeberndörferPhoto of Claudia PosluschnyBy Frank Weberndörfer and Claudia Posluschny on Posted in Coronavirus, Data privacy and GDPR, Europe, Germany
In Germany the “Epidemic Situation of National Significance” ends on November 25, 2021.  As a result, the German legislature has amended several COVID-19 related laws, such as the German Infection Protection Act (Infektionsschutzgesetz – IfSG), in order to continue certain protective measures. The amended regulations (BT-Drs. 20/15 and BT-Drs. 20/78) aim to provide for a … Continue reading

Clauses de licenciement en Ontario : pourquoi l’intention commune des parties pourrait bien sauver la mise

Photo of Stéphane EricksonBy Stéphane Erickson on Posted in Canada
Quand vient le temps d’évaluer le caractère exécutoire d’une clause de licenciement concernant des employés avertis en Ontario, l’intention compte. Dans une récente affaire, Rahman v Cannon Design Architecture[1], la Cour a jugé que la clause de licenciement était exécutoire, en partie parce que la preuve avait établi que, pendant les négociations entre l’employeur et … Continue reading

Ontario termination clauses: Why mutual intent may save the day

Photo of Stéphane EricksonBy Stéphane Erickson on Posted in Canada
When it comes to assessing the enforceability of a termination clause for sophisticated employees in Ontario, intent matters. In a recent case, Rahman v Cannon Design Architecture[1], the court found the termination clause enforceable in part because the evidence established that, during contract negotiations between the employer and sophisticated employee, there was a mutual intent … Continue reading

Disciplinary procedure: a preliminary meeting may be necessary before issuing an official written warning to an employee

Photo of Laure JoncourBy Laure Joncour on Posted in Europe, France, General
Disciplinary procedures are strictly regulated under French employment law. However, when an employer issues an official written warning to an employee because he has committed an act of misconduct, the employer can, in principle, be less formal. Unless the Collective Bargaining Agreement applicable to the company sets out any specific obligation, it is sufficient for … Continue reading

Speculation in Human Rights Claims – A Recent Decision

Photo of Herb IsherwoodBy Herb Isherwood on Posted in Canada, Discrimination and harassment, North America
One of the challenging circumstances often facing an employer is having to make a tough decision (e.g. termination) with respect to an employee who is known to have a protected characteristic under human rights law. Whether the employee is elderly, has a disability, is gay, or has another protected characteristic, the concern is that the … Continue reading

High Court clarifies definition of casual employee

Photo of David CrossBy David Cross on Posted in Australia
The High Court has upheld the employer’s appeal in the Rossato casual employment test case, and in the process has clarified the definition of casual employment (Workpac Pty Ltd v Rossato [2021] HCA 23). However, the practical significance of this decision has been limited by recent legislative amendments. The High Court held that a casual … Continue reading

Government introduces legislative changes following the Respect@Work report

Photo of Alexandra ShieldsPhoto of John TullioBy Alexandra Shields and John Tullio on Posted in Australia, Discrimination and harassment
On 24 June 2021, the Federal Government introduced the Sex Discrimination and Fair Work (Respect at Work) Amendments Bill 2021 (Cth) (Bill) into the Senate.  The Bill amends both the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) (SDA) and the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FWA) in response to the Respect@Work report (the Report) and implements many … Continue reading

AHRC Report: ASX200 companies and sexual harassment

Photo of Alexandra ShieldsPhoto of John TullioBy Alexandra Shields and John Tullio on Posted in Australia, Discrimination and harassment
On 17 June 2021, the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) released the “Equality across the board: Investing in workplaces that work for everyone (2021)” report (AHRC Report).  The report collates survey and interview data from 118 ASX200 listed companies to portray how these companies are currently combatting the issue of sexual harassment and makes recommendations … Continue reading

US: DOL issues COBRA premium subsidy guidance and model notices

Photo of Josh Owing (US)Photo of Thomas Reddin (US)By Josh Owing (US) and Thomas Reddin (US) on Posted in North America, United States
The US Department of Labor recently published answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) and model notices for the new COBRA premium subsidy made available to many employees and their dependents under the American Rescue Plan Act. As explained in an earlier post, the new law allows “assistance eligible individuals” (AEIs) – defined as COBRA qualified  … Continue reading

COVID-19: Mandatory testing in companies

Photo of Frank WeberndörferPhoto of Claudia PosluschnyBy Frank Weberndörfer and Claudia Posluschny on Posted in Coronavirus, Europe, Germany
In view of worrying pandemic figures, the German Federal Government has amended the existing “SARS-CoV-2 Occupational Health and Safety Ordinance” (Corona-ArbSchV) (the Ordinance). Employers now face the additional obligation of offering COVID-19 testing to their employees, unless the employees work from home. Introduction of mandatory testing… Continue reading

US: Combating Human Trafficking of Domestic Workers In The United States

Photo of Kevin Mayer (US)Photo of Jackie Karama (US)By Kevin Mayer (US) and Jackie Karama (US) on Posted in North America, United States
It is difficult to imagine that the evil of human trafficking, and all the pain and suffering it entails, can still be so pervasive this deep into the 21st Century. One would have expected that contemporary domestic and international law enforcement, to say nothing of the United Nations and all the monies it has at … Continue reading

US: Latest California Labor & Employment Developments from January 2021

Photo of Josh Henderson (US)By Josh Henderson (US) on Posted in Coronavirus, General, North America, United States
This past month saw the inauguration of President Biden, who promptly took steps that will have an immediate impact on California employers. Plus, new COVID-related laws took effect, some expired (but may be re-enacted), and a federal appeals court eased the meal/rest break burden on the transportation industry. For a brief summary of these an … Continue reading

L’accord national interprofessionnel du 26 novembre 2020 : « soft law » à la française

Global Workplace InsiderBy Elodie Grangier on Posted in Contracts, Coronavirus, Europe, France, General
Le télétravail s’est largement développé en France au fil des années, et naturellement, ce mode de travail a été particulièrement utilisé, bon gré mal gré, par les entreprises au cours de l’année 2020, à la faveur de la crise sanitaire, et des recommandations (plus ou moins liantes) du Gouvernement. Les bases du télétravail ont été … Continue reading

Can French employers require their employees to get the Covid-19 vaccine?

Global Workplace InsiderBy Elodie Grangier on Posted in Coronavirus, Europe, France
Further to the approval by EU authorities of the vaccine developed by BioNTech and Pfizer, and further to the recommendations of the French Health authorities on the vaccination programme, the French vaccine campaign against Covid-19 was launched yesterday, at the same time as in all EU countries. In France, the Government established a specific strategy … Continue reading

Transfert partiel d’entreprise : les errements de la Cour de cassation

Photo of Laure JoncourBy Laure Joncour on Posted in France
Dans une décision du 30 septembre 2020, la Cour de cassation revient une nouvelle fois sur le sort des salariés transférés dans le cadre d’un transfert partiel d’entreprise. Lorsqu’une partie de l’activité d’une entreprise est transférée à un repreneur, il convient de vérifier si les salariés transfèrent également à ce repreneur. Aux termes de l’article … Continue reading

Détenir un motif sérieux de congédiement ne cautionne pas tout comportement – Rappel de savoir-vivre pour les employeurs québécois

Photo of Xavier HamelBy Xavier Hamel on Posted in Canada, Québec
Le 10 août dernier, la Cour d’appel dans l’affaire Carignan c. Maison Carignan Inc.[1] rendait une décision dans laquelle elle conclut à un abus de droit de l’employeur dans l’exercice de son droit de congédier l’un de ses employés. Quels sont les faits de cette affaire? D’abord suspendu avec solde pour les fins d’une enquête, … Continue reading

Allégations de harcèlement sexuel sur les réseaux sociaux au Québec : ce que les employeurs doivent savoir

Photo of Carl TrudeauBy Carl Trudeau and Antoine Gagnon on Posted in Canada, Québec
Au courant des dernières semaines, nous avons pu assister à de nombreuses dénonciations publiées sur les médias sociaux eu égard à des allégations de harcèlement sexuel, qu’elles soient publiées à visage découvert ou bien de manière anonyme. Une question qui se pose pour un employeur est de déterminer comment gérer de telles allégations de nature … Continue reading

Ontario employers, cover up! Mandatory face-covering orders now in effect in Toronto, Ottawa, and beyond

Photo of Stéphane EricksonPhoto of Conrad FlaczykBy Stéphane Erickson and Conrad Flaczyk on Posted in Canada, Coronavirus
While Stage 3 allows many businesses in Ontario to reopen and to welcome returning employees back to the physical workplace, employers and service providers—as operators of enclosed public spaces and establishments—must meet certain recently announced conditions. As of July 7, 2020, at 12:01 a.m., these conditions now include the mandatory covering of the mouth, nose … Continue reading

Blog Update NOW 2.0

Photo of Christine DanielsPhoto of Maartje van der MolenBy Christine Daniels, Maartje Govaert, Annette van Beers and Maartje van der Molen on Posted in Europe
Employment Emergency Fund (NOW) – NOW 2.0 On March 31, 2020, the Dutch government first published the Employment Emergency Fund (Tijdelijke noodmaatregel overbrugging voor behoud van werkgelegenheid, NOW 1.0). Please read more about this here  The initial period of the fund ended on 31 May, 2020 but allowed for a one time extension for an … Continue reading

US: Return to work considerations for New York employers during COVID-19 pandemic

Photo of Nandini Rao (US)Photo of Rachel Kurth (US)By Nandini Rao (US) and Rachel Kurth (US) on Posted in North America, United States
Businesses with operations in New York State and, particularly, in New York City, face unique obstacles with respect to reopening their businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.  With over 380,000 confirmed cases across the state, and over 200,000 confirmed cases in New York City, most New York residents have been affected by the virus in some … Continue reading

US: Return to work in an office environment: Employer considerations and best practices

Photo of Barbara D'AquilaBy Barbara D'Aquila on Posted in Coronavirus, North America, United States
Many businesses quickly shifted to remote work, where possible, and abandoned operations in an office setting when COVID-19 became a pandemic or when jurisdictions required or encouraged people to stay at home. Now, as these businesses contemplate resuming operations in the general office setting, they are grappling with a myriad of issues and concerns.  See … Continue reading

End of the lockdown in France: what are the precautions for employers operating in France?

Global Workplace InsiderBy Elodie Grangier on Posted in Coronavirus, Europe, France
On 7 May, the French Prime Minister announced the date chosen for the start of the “de-confinement” phase for France, namely 11 May 2020. The lockdown, which started on 17 March, lasted almost 2 months during which some shops and businesses were closed, and the vast majority of companies operated on the basis of remote … Continue reading
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