employment contracts Archives

An Employee Has Requested a Leave of Absence, Now What?

April 17, 2024
Employer Resources, Employment Contracts, Employment Law, Employment Standards Act, HR Compliance, Leaves, Workplace Consideration, Workplace Policies

Employers often wonder how to handle requests for leaves of absence from employees.

This requires understanding the various options available depending on the terms of employment and benefit plans, but also obligations under employment standards legislation and human rights legislation. This balancing act can become burdensome and lead to liability for employers if mishandled.

HR Law Compliance Steps for Super Busy Employers

January 24, 2024
Employer Resources, HR Compliance, Labour Law, Miscellaneous, Terminations, Workplace Policies

Woohoo! Mandatory policies, postings, training, legally enforceable contracts… Actually, no client has ever told us they LOVE thinking through legal compliance for their workplace. Rather, it’s the thing you have to do on top of the other revenue-generating tasks to keep the lights on.

HR Law Compliance Steps for Super Busy Employers

For owner-operator employers, there is often no one to delegate this to. The internet is full of best practices and comprehensive lists of what to do, but it all eats up your time to figure out.

You’ve been served with notice to bargain, now what?

October 18, 2023
Collective Bargaining, Employer Resources, Employment Standards, Human Rights, Labour Law, Labour Negotiations, Union Relations, Workplace Policies

Receiving a notice to bargain can be overwhelming for an employer, especially if it is to negotiate a first collective agreement. It is important to understand key steps in the process in order to be prepared to achieve the best outcome for your business.

“You’ve been served with notice to bargain, now what?”

Do not feel rushed

There is no need to immediately schedule bargaining sessions once you receive notice to bargain. The obligation is to commence bargaining within a reasonable time frame such that the employer is not interfering with the union’s right to collective bargaining. Understandably, it could take up to a few months to align the schedules of the bargaining teams on both sides and to ensure adequate time for preparation.

Don’t Lose Your Enforceable Termination Clause to the Substratum Doctrine

August 30, 2023
Employer Resources, Employment Standards, HR, Human Rights, Terminations, Workplace Policies

If you’re an employer or HR representative well-acquainted with the realm of employment law blogs, you’ve undoubtedly encountered a myriad of cautionary tales about the perils of contracting errors. The blogs about this topic are countless – and for good reason! The significance of getting contracts right cannot be overstated, as a single mistake could potentially lead to substantial liabilities for your organization. An omitted phrase or a misused word within a termination clause could be the deciding factor between an 8-week statutory notice obligation and a hefty 24-month damages award.

The significance of getting contracts right

However, let’s assume that you’ve taken every precaution. You’ve carefully reviewed your contracts, consulted legal experts, and you’re confident that your termination clauses are impeccably drafted. Is there still a risk that a court would refuse to enforce that termination clause? The answer, perhaps unsurprisingly, is yes. Even with meticulous drafting, there’s a legal principle that could potentially invalidate your termination clause – the Substratum Doctrine.

New Boss Law Bootcamp

August 30, 2022
Employer Resources, Employment Standards, Harassment, HR, Human Rights, Occupational Health & Safety, Terminations, Workplace Policies

Hello Friends of SpringLaw!

We hope your summer has gone well!

For many of our employer clients, it’s time to get back to business, solidify HR law systems and post-pandemic norms and to gear up for a busy fall.

We want to make that easy for you – we’re excited to announce the launch of our new Boss Law Bootcamp. This comprehensive online program is designed for both new employers not sure where to start as well as boss pros who all need to keep their legal templates and resources up to date.

The Bootcamp includes the up-to-date core HR law contracts and policies you must have in place today, plus bonus guides & checklists AND time with our employment lawyers to customize and help you with the how of implementing the legal infrastructure. We want this to be effortless and quick for you.

And we have an Early Bird price until Sept 15!

Packed with practical knowledge, templates, policies and practices!

Workplace Law: It Pays To Be Proactive

August 26, 2020
COVID-19, Employer Resources, Employment Standards, Harassment, HR, Human Rights, Judicial System, Leaves, Occupational Health & Safety, Terminations, Workplace Policies

Photo by CQF-Avocat from Pexels

In these challenging times, in the midst of the pandemic, as workplaces re-open, pivot and change, we see the importance and immense value of having strategic employment and workplace law advice. Just a small allocation of thought space and time to being proactive could have changed the outcome of so many situations. We see it now in our firm in many ways.

Having run a small business for over a decade, I can appreciate that employers are often triaging the urgent demand of finding solutions to client’s needs. Rarely did I have the time or opportunity to “smell the roses” let alone try to proactively anticipate the workplace law needs of my growing organization. However, I now see the critical importance of taking a proactive approach.