Employment and Labour Law Blogs
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All the information you need on workplace rights is at your fingertips. Our library of blogs, articles, media interviews, videos, etc. are available here to ensure you have the power to take control of your situation.
Job Abandonment Ontario: A Guide for Employees
Everyone has had Monday mornings where they don’t feel like showing up to work. But at what point…
What is a PIP? What Performance Improvement Plans Mean for Your Job and Rights
Stress is a natural response to being put on a PIP, meaning Performance Improvement Plan. Worry and uncertainty…
2026 Stat Holidays Ontario: Employer and Employee Guide
Ontario has nine official statutory holidays in 2026. These legally recognized public holidays give eligible employees the right…
How Hard Is It to Get CPP Disability Benefits? An Eligibility Guide and How It Works
If you have a serious illness or injury and can’t work, Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Disability benefits can…
Severance After Maternity Leave: What Are Your Rights in Ontario?
Parental leave can be a stressful consideration for many employees, trying to navigate a working relationship, planned absence,…
Workplace Harassment Ontario: My Coworker Is Harassing Me and My Supervisor Will Not Act, What Now?
Workplace harassment in Ontario can be difficult to deal with, particularly when your coworker is harassing you and…
Pregnancy Disability Benefits: Disability Coverage for Pregnancy Complications
Pregnancy disability benefits may be available when pregnancy-related complications or symptoms prevent you from working. While pregnancy is…
CRPS Disability Benefits: Long Term Disability Claims for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Disability benefits may be available if Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is causing severe, ongoing pain and other symptoms…
Understanding the Employment Standards Act Ontario: A Legal Guide
In Ontario, the Employment Standards Act (ESA) outlines the minimum rights and obligations that employers must follow by…
Family Caregiver Leave in Ontario: Legal Guide for Employees and Employers
If you’re caring for a family member with a serious medical condition, the Employment Standards Act (ESA) gives…
Vacation Pay Ontario: Rules, Calculations, and When It Must Be Paid
Vacation pay is money paid to an employee for their time off. In Ontario, vacation pay isn’t a…
Bereavement Leave in Ontario: Rights, Eligibility, and Employer Obligations
When facing the loss of a loved one, you shouldn’t have to worry about your rights at work….
Minimum Wage Ontario: Current Rates, Rules, And Key Dates
Effective October 1, 2026, Ontario’s minimum wage will increase from $17.60 to $17.95 an hour. This guide will…
Employee Surveillance at Work in Ontario: What Employers Can Monitor and When It Crosses the Line
Employee surveillance at work in Ontario is becoming increasingly common as employers adopt productivity-tracking tools, keystroke monitoring software,…
Can my Employer Demote Me in Ontario? When a Demotion Becomes Constructive Dismissal
Can my employer demote me in Ontario without my consent? The answer depends on the circumstances. While employers…
Can My Employer Stop Me From Using Cannabis? Your Rights Explained
Can my employer stop me from using cannabis is a question many employees and employers in Canada are…
Can My Employer Require Me To Return to Office in Ontario?
Quick Overview (TL;DR:) Employers in Ontario can generally require employees to return to the office, but that right…
Severance Pay Ontario: Your Guide
TL;DR: Severance pay is one of the most misunderstood areas of employment law. Many workers assume they’re only…
Wrongful Dismissal Ontario: Essential Information for Employees
Quick Overview (TL;DR:) Wrongful dismissal occurs when an employer fails to fulfill its legal duties during the termination…
Constructive Dismissal Ontario: A Practical Guide
Quick Overview TL;DR: Constructive dismissal occurs when your employer makes significant, unwanted changes to your job or creates…
Long Term Disability Benefits for Chronic Conditions: How to Document an Episodic or Fluctuating Disability
Long-term disability benefits for chronic conditions can provide important financial support when a chronic illness prevents you from…
Fired After Reporting Workplace Harassment? Ontario Law May Consider It Reprisal
Firing an employee after reporting workplace harassment in Ontario is legally permitted only in narrow circumstances where the…
Fixed Term Contract Leads to Nearly $920,000 Award After Unenforceable Termination Clause
A fixed term contract is an employment agreement that ends on a specified date instead of continuing indefinitely,…
Signs of Constructive Dismissal in Ontario: When Workplace Changes Cross the Line
What is constructive dismissal? The signs of constructive dismissal are not always obvious at first. Many employees assume…
Sick Leave in Ontario: Employee Rights, Workplace Accommodations, and Extended Absences
Sick leave in Ontario is one of the most misunderstood workplace rights. Many employees know they are entitled…
Can You Get EI If You Quit Your Job In Ontario?
Can you get EI if you quit your job? Many employees are surprised to learn that the answer…
Can I Refuse Unsafe Work in Ontario? Employee Rights Under the OHSA
If you are wondering “Can I refuse unsafe work in Ontario”, the answer is generally yes. Under Ontario’s…
Continuous Employment in Ontario: How Breaks in Employment Affect Severance Pay
Employees who are terminated without cause in Ontario from their position are generally entitled to receive severance or…
How a Disability Journal Can Help Support Your Long-Term Disability Claim?
Being on disability isn’t easy. It means you have to manage multiple symptoms, medications, doctor’s appointments and communications…
Neck Pain and Disability Insurance Benefits in Canada: When Cervical Disorders Prevent You From Working
Can neck pain qualify you for disability benefits in Canada? Your neck, a sensitive and singular connection between…
Do Bonuses Count in Severance in Ontario? Lessons from Warren v. Canaccord Genuity Corp.
Bonuses count in severance in Ontario, yet many employees are surprised to learn that employers often calculate severance…
Parental Rights in Ontario Workplaces: What Employees Need to Know
Observed each year on June 1, Global Day of Parents highlights the essential role parents play in raising…
Punitive and Aggravated Damages in Long-Term Disability Claims: What You Need To Know
When your long-term disability (LTD) benefits are denied, the financial impact is only part of the harm. Many…
Can an Employer Rescind a Job Offer in Ontario? Your Rights Explained
Accepting a job offer can set in motion some major life decisions, from leaving secure employment to relocating….
Long-Term Disability Waiting Period in Ontario: What Happens and When to Apply
A long-term disability (LTD) policy is a contract. Contracts outline the obligations of each party. For LTD policies,…
Lupus and Long-Term Disability Benefits in Canada: What Employees Need to Know
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disorder where your immune system attacks your internal tissues and organs. The attacks…
Can an Employer Fire You for Theft in Ontario? Termination for Cause and Signing a Release
Employer Fires Employee for Theft in Ontario: An employee is accused of stealing $20 at work and is…
Terminated During Probation in Ontario: EI Eligibility and Your Legal Rights
Terminated during probation in Ontario employees are often surprised to learn that losing a job during a probationary…
WSIB vs. Long-Term Disability (LTD) in Ontario: Key Differences, Eligibility & How to Choose the Right Claim
You get injured at work. Fortunately, you have different types of insurance. But which insurance applies can cause…
Maximize Your Long-Term Disability (LTD) Claim: How to Work with Your Doctor for Success
This article provides an overview on how to maximize your long-term disability (LTD) claims and the crucial role…
Multiple Sclerosis and Long-Term Disability: Eligibility, Claims, and Legal Help
Multiple Sclerosis (“MS”) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes breakdown of the protective covering of the nerves….
Return-to-Office Policies May Trigger Constructive Dismissal Claims, Court Warns
Return-to-office policies continue to expand across Canada, but a recent decision from the British Columbia Court of Appeal…
Can you Refuse to Travel for Work Due to Safety Concerns In Ontairo?
Introduction Travelling for work can range: it can be exciting, tiring, fun, or dreary. It can be a…
Terminated Without Cause in Ontario? Your Rights to Notice, Severance and Compensation Explained
Being terminated without cause in Ontario can feel sudden and unfair, especially when your employer provides little to…
Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD): Employer Obligations & Employee Rights in Ontario
Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) is a useful reminder that accessibility is not just “nice to have.” In…
Daniel Lublin and Glenn Brandys Secure $2.5 Million Victory in RSU and Constructive Dismissal Case
Overview Daniel Lublin and Glenn Brandys secured a $2.5 million judgment in favour of the plaintiff at a…
Fired ‘For Cause’ During a Layoff? It May Be an Attempt to Avoid Severance
An unfortunate aspect of working for a large corporation is that employees are in danger of the dreaded…
Medical Leave in Ontario: How Should Employers Behave?
When an employee takes medical leave, employers must carefully balance operational needs with their legal obligations. In Ontario,…
How To Calculate Short-Term Disability Payments?
A disability booklet can seem like routine paperwork until questions about leave, coverage, or pay start to come…
Can You Refuse Insurance Company’s Medical Advice?
Navigating a disability claim can feel like being stuck in a hamster wheel, between your doctor, your employer,…
Ontario Job Posting Requirements: What Employers Need to Know
Significant new job posting obligations were imposed under Ontario’s Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) as of January 1,…
Can You Be Fired for Addiction in Ontario Without Accommodation?
Addiction in the workplace is often misunderstood. Under Ontario law, it is a recognized disability that triggers serious…
Can Sexual Harassment Lead to Constructive Dismissal in Ontario?
Introduction According to 2024 Statistics Canada, 31% of men and 47% of women reported experiencing some form of…
Can My Employer Fire Me While on Paternity Leave?
In previous generations, it was uncommon for men to take time away from work to support their spouse…
My Doctor Says I Can’t Work. Why was My Long-Term Disability Claim Denied?
You know you can’t work, your family agrees and your doctor has confirmed that you are medically unable…
Employer Ordered to Pay $185,000 for Overtime and Reprisal: Lessons for Ontario Employers
What began as a dispute over a few days of unpaid wages escalated into a $185,000 award for…
How Long Can You Leave the Country on Disability?
If you’re receiving disability benefits in Ontario and wondering how long you can leave the country on disability,…
Résumé Botox: Why Some Job Seekers Hide Their Age?
A new term has been circulating in career circles: “Résumé Botox”. Much like the cosmetic treatment to which…
How Long Does It Take to Get the Disability Tax Credit?
In most cases, a complete Disability Tax Credit (DTC) application takes about 8 to 12 weeks to process,…
Can Employers Enforce Broad Confidentiality Clauses in Ontario?
Confidentiality clauses are a critical component of employment agreements, particularly for senior employees with access to sensitive business…
How Gaps in Medical Records Affect Your Ontario Disability Claim?
Gaps in medical records do not automatically disqualify a disability benefits claim in Ontario, but insurers often use…
Can Telehealth and Virtual Doctors Support a Disability Benefits Claim in Ontario?
Yes, telehealth and virtual doctors can support a disability benefits claim in Ontario, particularly for individuals who lack…
Can You Apply for Disability Benefits in Ontario Without a Family Doctor?
Taking medical leave is difficult and rarely straightforward. The process can quickly become overwhelming between navigating doctor appointments,…
Can Your Employer Make You Work While on Vacation?
In the age of remote work, it’s not uncommon to hear of employers asking employees on an approved…
How Employees Should Behave During Litigation in Ontario?
Litigation between employees and employers can be a high-stakes process, and employee conduct during litigation is critically important….
Racial Discrimination in the Workplace in Ontario: How the Human Rights Code Protects Employee Rights
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, observed every year on March 21, is recognized by…
How Much Does Short-Term Disability Pay?
In Ontario, short-term disability benefits are not standardized. How much you receive, when benefits start, and how long…
How To Get Short-Term Disability Approved For Anxiety And Depression
Struggling with anxiety or depression to the point where continuing work becomes unmanageable is a challenge many Canadians…
International Women’s Day: Understanding Women’s Workplace Rights in Ontario
March 8th is International Woman’s Day! It’s a global day or recognition, rooted in early 20th century labour…
Are Non-Solicitation Clauses Enforceable in Ontario?
Non-solicitation clauses are a common feature of employment contracts in Ontario, but their enforceability, especially after employment ends,…
Can One Mistake Get You Fired for Just Cause in Canada?
Being terminated for just cause can feel sudden, confusing, and devastating. Employers often claim that misconduct justifies firing…
Employee or Contractor in Ontario? Lessons from a $100,000 Wrongful Dismissal Decision
Worker misclassification is an issue in Ontario employment law, as employers often assume that calling someone an “independent…
Can You Work While on Maternity Leave for Another Employer in Ontario?
Working while on maternity leave or parental leave Parental leave is a core workplace protection under Ontario’s Employment…
Can I Record Conversations in Canada at Work?
With smartphones and recording apps always within reach, employees may be tempted to record conversations at work, especially…
Can My Employer Deny My Short-Term Disability Claim in Ontario?
When you’re too sick or injured to work, short-term disability (STD) benefits are supposed to protect your income….
Workplace Accommodation in Ontario: Employer Duties & HRTO Risks
Workplace accommodation is at the heart of Ontario’s human rights framework. It is not an option in Ontario….
Courtroom Victory: Jordan Cantor & Abby Leung Secure Justice for Kishan Patel and TechSpirer Inc. Against ITCAD
Overview In ITCAD Tech Inc. v. Patel et. al., 2026 ONSC 368, Jordan Cantor and Abby Leung successfully…
What’s The Difference Between Long-Term and Short-Term Disability?
Most people only look closely at disability coverage when they need it, and by then there is a…
Can Employees Express Political Views at Work?
On a recent Air Canada flight from Toronto to Atlanta, a passenger filed a complaint with respect to…
Can a Bad Workplace Investigation Cost You Your Job?
Workplace investigations have become increasingly common and formalized in the last 10 years. However, the procedure for these…
Can You Get in Trouble for Speaking Your Language at Work?
Communication is a fundamental need in every workplace environment, and in a multicultural environment like Canada it is…
Do I Get a T4 for Long-Term Disability?
For most people, the answer is yes. You will receive a tax slip for long-term disability benefits, but…
What’s the Difference Between Long-Term Disability and Medical Accommodation?
Getting sick should not cost you your job or financial security. Whether you’re managing a temporary medical condition…
Shopify Layoffs: Another Round of Job Cuts
Why is Shopify cutting jobs again? Shopify has confirmed another round of job cuts, making this the company’s…
When Termination Clauses Fail: Stock Options and Notice in Liggett v. Veeva
Overview In Liggett v. Veeva Software Systems, Inc., the Ontario Superior Court of Justice addressed the enforceability of…
Can an Employer Refuse Your Resignation?
If you are asking can an employer refuse your resignation, the short answer in Ontario is no: you…
Can Mental Health Qualify for Short-Term Disability in Canada?
Bad boss? Toxic work environment? Is your mental health suffering? Let’s talk about your options. So can mental…
When to Buy Private Long-Term Disability Insurance?
If you suddenly became too sick or injured to work, how long could you manage without your income? …
Are Non-Compete Clauses Legal in Ontario?
Are non-compete clauses legal in for provincially regulated and federally regulated employees in Ontario? If you’re reviewing an…
What Are My Rights to Severance During a Recession in Canada?
The most recent Business Outlook Survey from the Bank of Canada shows that more employers are planning for…
Can AI Replace a Lawyer?
A man was recently fined $5,000.00 by the Quebec Superior Court for his improper use of artificial intelligence…
What Is a Casual Employee in Canada?
What is considered a casual employee in Canada? In practice, a casual employee is someone who works irregular…
Unpaid Training Ontario: Do Employers Have to Pay for Training Time?
In Ontario, unpaid training is usually not allowed when the training is required for the job: employers generally…
Can Short-Term Disability be Backdated? Short-Term Disability and Outstanding Arrears, Explained
Short-term disability (STD) coverage protects income when health problems take you out of work, but most people never…
Courtroom Victory: Marc Kitay & Aaron Zaltzman Secure Justice for Former CIBC Employees While Transforming Employment Law
Overview Marc W. Kitay and Aaron Zaltzman of Whitten & Lublin employment law firm break new ground in…
Are Your Religious Rights at Work Being Respected?
Ontario’s Religious Freedom Day, established through Bill 42, the Ontario Religious Freedom Day Act, 2021, commemorates victims of…
What to Do Upon Returning to Work After Stress Leave?
Your body and mind undergo stress as a natural reaction to when you experience changes, challenges or demands….
Can a Previous Employer Disclose Why You Were Fired?
Can a former employer give details about why you were fired? One concern many employees in Ontario have…
Do You Have to Pay Back Short Term Disability If You Quit?
If you’ve been on short-term disability (STD), you may be wondering what happens if you don’t go back…
“You’re Fired” vs. “No, I Quit”: Can an Employee Legally Resign After Termination?
Imagine this tense workplace scenario: Your manager says, “You’re fired,” and in a moment of frustration, you retort,…
Is a Pay Cut After Parental Leave Constructive Dismissal?
An Ontario Superior Court of Justice case from earlier in 2025 found that an executive employee who returned…
What Should You Do When HR Calls You and Says You Are Fired?
It is the call no one expects but almost everyone dreads. HR rings and in a matter of…
How to Handle Resignations Properly?
Like any relationship, clear communication between employees and employers is fundamentally important, especially when it comes to ending…
Accommodation Obligations Start Before Hiring
A recent human rights decision in British Columbia reiterates the importance of accommodating individuals, including during the application…
Can I Get Short-Term Disability Through My Spouse’s Insurance?
If you’re unable to work because of an illness or injury, you may be wondering: “Can I get…
Terminated While on Medical Leave in Ontario?
If you’ve been terminated while on medical leave in Ontario or pressured to return to work before you’re…
What Happens When Employers Ignore Accommodation Needs?
A recent British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal decision involving an immunocompromised employee is a timely reminder for employers…
What to Do If You’re Let Go From Your Job?
You may never have imagined that this would happen to you but now it has. You have been…
Holiday Work Parties: What Employees Need to Know to Avoid Discipline or Termination
The holiday season often includes workplace social events like holiday work parties. These gatherings offer employees a chance…
Do Employers Have a Duty to Accommodate During the Hiring Process?
In Ontario employers have a duty to accommodate an employee’s disability to the point of undue hardship. However,…
Am I Still Employed While on Long-Term Disability in Canada?
When illness or injury takes you out of work for months, uncertainty follows. In Canada, being on long-term…
Denied Long-Term Disability? How to Appeal Your LTD Claim in Ontario?
If your long-term disability claim was denied, you’re not alone and you’re not out of options. Many employees…
Can You Travel While on Short-Term Disability in Canada?
For many people, time away can help restore both mental and physical health. But if you are receiving…
How Does Short-Term Disability Work in Ontario?
When a health issue makes it impossible to carry on at your job, your focus should be on…
How Do You Transition from Short-Term to Long-Term Disability Benefits?
Navigating disability benefits through your workplace can be overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to understand the difference between…
Daniel Lublin in Conversation with Ben Mulroney: How AI Is Shaping the Future of Legal Work
In a recent episode of The Ben Mulroney Podcast, Whitten & Lublin’s Founding Partner, Daniel Lublin, joined Ben…
Are Employers Required to Accommodate Candidates Before They’re Hired?
In Ontario employers have a duty to accommodate an employee’s disability to the point of undue hardship. However,…
Can I Ask to Return to Work Part-Time After Stress Leave?
Life happens to all of us. Finances, illness and loss can cause significant stress. Stress has a significant impact…
Can an Employee Be Fired on Their First Day of Work?
Many employers and employees wonder: Can I be fired on my first day of work? The short answer…
What Qualifies for Long-Term Disability in Canada?
TL;DR Long-term disability (LTD) eligibility in Canada depends on how well a claimant’s objective medical evidence demonstrates that…
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