CBC News – Man ‘terrified’ after learning old boss threatened to kill him in text

A Toronto man is “terrified” after recently learning his former boss allegedly threatened to “put an axe so far into [his] head they would have to bury him with it.” The threat was alleged to have been made in a text message two years ago, and the man’s ex-employer knew about it but never told him.

Chantel Goldsmith, Toronto employment lawyer and partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, told CBC News that Ontario employers have an obligation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to protect workers from violence in the workplace, said Chantel Goldsmith, of Samfiru Tumarkin LLP. That obligation includes threats of potential violence.

But she said there could be a catch in the Toronto man’s case.

“He might not meet the definition of worker in the legislation,” said Goldsmith.

That’s because Hemming had already been fired when the alleged text was sent.