Ontario’s Infectious Disease Emergency Leave doesn’t affect constructive dismissal

Ontario’s new Infectious Disease Emergency Leave seeks to remove an employee’s right to severance pay if their pay is reduced or they are put on a temporary layoff due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alex Lucifero is an employment lawyer and managing partner of Samfiru Tumarkin LLP’s Ottawa office, joined Ottawa Now on Newstalk 580 CFRA to explain why, despite the new layoff regulation, a worker’s ability to claim constructive dismissal remains intact.

• How significant is the new layoff regulation and the change to Ontario’s employment standards act?
• How will the new Infectious Disease Emergency Leave affect non-unionized employees
• Was the original intent of the new regulation to help employers during the coronavirus pandemic?

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.