What should employees know before they start a new job?

Interview Summary

With a labour shortage in many businesses and fields across the province, a shift has occurred which allows employees applying for jobs and beginning employment to be more selective. What should these employees be aware of as they begin new employment? Are there employment rights that new hires should be more conscious of in a changing labour market?

Alex Lucifero, an employment lawyer in the Ottawa region and Managing Partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP joins Matt Skube on CTV Ottawa to answer these questions and more.

Interview Notes

• Employment contracts for new hires: While employees typically look for terms with an immediate impact such as pay, vacation, etc., it is important to look for other terminology in their contracts that influence an employee’s rights. It is important to look for severance terms, temporary layoff provisions, etc.
• Negotiating terms at the start of employment: Each employment situation will be different for employees. In entry-level positions that could have many candidates, an employee might have less negotiation power. Alternatively, employees that have been approached by an employer in a recruitment position would have more bargaining power.
• Looming recession and changing jobs: For those currently employed and thinking of making a change, they should have conversations with potential employers and if receiving an offer, might have certain demands. Employees should be wary of resigning from their current jobs without other prospects.