Employment Law Show: Ontario – S11 E27

Episode Summary

How should employers navigate a workplace relationship? Employment Lawyer Mackenzie Irwin, Associate 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 catch the show on Saturdays and Sundays on 640 Toronto, Newstalk 580 CFRA in Ottawa, and 900 CHML in Hamilton as the hosts take calls from listeners and provide vital answers to employees and employers. 

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Show Notes

• John Tory resigns due to workplace relationship: There is nothing illegal about a consensual workplace relationship. Typically, there are no issues when a workplace relationship exists between employees on the same level. There are concerns when there is a power imbalance within the workplace relationship. It is important for employers to have a policy in place regarding office romances and their expectations.
• Returning to the office: Employers are within their rights to ask employees to return to the office. Employees do not have the automatic right to work from home unless it has been addressed in their employment contract, or they were hired to work remotely.
• Employee time theft case: A recent case in B.C. showcased that in order to terminate an employee for cause, employers have to ensure all documentation is up to date. The employee in B.C. had filed time sheets of work they had done that were later found to be false. The former employee was told by a court to pay their former employer for time theft.
• Working outside of the country while working from home: Employees are within their rights to take statutory leave in order to care for a sick relative and if necessary, leave the country. Employers must grant employees leave if they are under protected grounds. Employers can grant time away to employees but should outline clear expectations from their employees.

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