Employment Law Show: Alberta & B.C. – S6 E14

Episode Summary

What can employees do if they are being harassed? How should severance be calculated? Employment Lawyer Lior Samfiru, Partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP answers those questions and more on the Employment Law Show. 

LISTEN BELOW to Western Canada’s only radio show about your employment rights in the workplace, every Sunday at 4 p.m. PT on 980 CKNW in Vancouver, and 5 p.m. MT on 770 CHQR in Calgary and 640 CHED in Edmonton, as the show takes calls from listeners and provide vital answers to employees and employers.

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Show Notes

• Supervisor bullying and harassing employee: Employees that have filed complaints with the appropriate department and a proper investigation have not been conducted should ensure that all incidents of harassment have been recorded and documented. An employer has a strict obligation to investigate and resolve claims of harassment. Employers that fail to take proper measures have constructively dismissed the employee as a result if they resign.
• Severance is often miscalculated by employers and employees: Many employees mistakenly believe that they know their rights and what their employers are permitted to do. Severance pay is based on a number of factors including the age of an employee, the length of employment, as well as the position of the employee. Severance is often mistakenly calculated as a week per year of service.
• Physical ailment making job responsibilities difficult: Employees who have a medical condition should first speak to their treating doctor about the accommodations required at the workplace. Once an employer is informed of an employee’s medical condition and necessary restrictions, they have a duty to accommodate their employee’s needs. A failure to provide accommodations is considered a human rights violation.
• Government advice for severance pay: The government cannot help employees get their full severance entitlements but do have the power to enforce the minimum requirements. Employees who lose their job must speak to an employment lawyer to determine if they have been offered adequate severance pay.

Need an employment lawyer?

• Pocket Employment Lawyer: Before you call a lawyer, use the Pocket Employment Lawyer to find out if you might have a case. 
• Severance Pay Calculator: Discover how much severance pay you should get when you lose your job, used successfully by nearly 2 million Canadians. 
• Watch our TV Shows: Get further clarity on your rights by watching our popular TV show episodes.