Employment Law Show: Ontario – S11 E21

Episode Summary

Can your shift be shortened or reduced by your employer? Employment Lawyer Lior Samfiru, co-managing Partner and national practice leader at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, answers this question and more on the Employment Law Show.

LISTEN BELOW to Ontario’s premiere radio show about employment law and workplace rights featuring the province’s leading employment lawyers. You can hear the show live on Mondays to Thursdays at 640 Toronto and 980 CFPL in London at 6:30 p.m. ET, as the hosts take calls from listeners and provide vital answers to employees and employers.

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Show Notes

• An employee put on a paid suspension by an employer: Employees returning from a paid suspension could face a difficult situation in which they can no longer continue working. Employers that need to suspend employees should conduct their investigations quickly. While a paid suspension is not illegal, employers should be wary of suspending employees for long periods of time.
• Shift time extended by an employer: Generally an employer cannot change an employee’s shifts. There are small minor changes that an employer can impose without facing legal repercussions. Major changes to the terms of employment can lead to constructive dismissal.
• Reduced by as a result of financial difficulties: Many employers have struggled financially as a result of the pandemic. Despite the circumstances, employers do not have the right to cut an employee’s pay. Employees do not have to accept a pay reduction. Employees that wish to accept a change for a short period of time should ensure the acceptance and time frame are documented in writing.
• Extended temporary layoff: Employers do not have the right to place employees on a temporary layoff. Employees can choose to accept the layoff however, by doing so they give their employer permission to do so again.

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