Are reasons for termination changing due to COVID-19?

A mother in California is reportedly suing her former employer after she was terminated for her inability to keep her children quiet during work calls.

Due to COVID-19, there has been a shift in dynamics between employers and employees. Joining Roy Green on Global News Radio, Lior Samfiru, a Toronto employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, discusses what this change will mean for workplace dismissals.

• What is considered cause for dismissal while working from home?
  An employee still has to meet deadlines and fulfill their responsibilities, but employers do have to take into considerations factors that occur while working remotely. Lior explains why this employee’s termination would likely not be a dismissal for cause, but a dismissal without cause, in Canada.
• Is the employee/employer relationship changing because of the reality of where they work?
  Expectations and performance monitoring are changing; many changes could remain permanent.
• As a result of CERB are employees being incentivized to earn less in order to qualify?
  Employers and employees could face consequences if it is determined they have lessened hours and pay for workers who could work and have chosen not too.