Company asks employees to lie, use vacation time but still work – 640 Toronto

Colliers Project Leaders told its employees that if they didn’t sacrifice paid vacation days and lie about it on their timecards, they would risk losing their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a recording provided to CBC News by employees of the Ottawa-based company , President and CEO Franklin Holtforster is heard asks employees to “surrender” vacation time if they want to save job at the business.

Lumi Pungea, an employment lawyer and partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, joined Kelly Cutrara on Global News Radio 640 Toronto to explain why Holtforster’s request was inappropriate and in breach of Canada’s labour laws.

Learn more about your rights during the coronavirus pandemic through our Coronavirus (COVID-19) Knowledge Centre, where you can find resources about your employment rights during COVID-19.