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COVID-19 & Employment, Workplace Culture Kevin Patrick Robbins COVID-19 & Employment, Workplace Culture Kevin Patrick Robbins

How will the pandemic shape the future of work?

The pandemic impacted heavily on the working lives of many: some lost their jobs, otherwise endured prolonged lay-offs, and many found themselves working from home. With the pandemic waning and (hopefully) at, or close to, an end, employers are considering how best to structure their workplaces moving forward. This presents a unique opportunity - to learn from mistakes, create efficiencies, improve culture and attract talent.

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COVID-19 & Employment Kevin Patrick Robbins COVID-19 & Employment Kevin Patrick Robbins

Boosters, Masks and Testing: Three Reasons why Ontario Employers need to Update their COVID-19 Policies

As the pandemic reaches the two year mark, the Omicron variant has taken hold across the country. In response, public health agencies have updated their recommendations and protocols. With the introduction of booster shots, new quality standards for facial masks, and limited access to testing, employers may quickly come to find their existing COVID-19 policies are out of date.

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Employee Hiring, COVID-19 & Employment Kevin Patrick Robbins Employee Hiring, COVID-19 & Employment Kevin Patrick Robbins

Infectious Disease Emergency Leave Extended to September 25, 2021

Ontario has, for a third time, extended the length of Infectious Disease Emergency Leave (“IDEL”). Pursuant to O. Reg. 412/21, IDEL now encompasses a maximum period of March 1, 2020 to September 25, 2021. The practical impact of this change is that employers are allowed to keep employees off work, without pay, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic for an additional three months.

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COVID-19 & Employment, Constructive Dismissal Kevin Patrick Robbins COVID-19 & Employment, Constructive Dismissal Kevin Patrick Robbins

Does the COVID-19 Pandemic Provide Ontario Employers with an Implied Right to Layoff Staff?

When the pandemic first began, and at various subsequent points, many Ontario employers experienced a decrease in work volume and, as a result, made the difficult decision to place their staff on temporary unpaid lay-off from work. This seemingly straightforward decision, however, has resulted for some businesses in unintended litigation. They have faced employee claims for severance on the basis that their lay-off amounted to a constructive dismissal from employment.

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Wrongful Dismissal Damages During COVID-19: Offsets and Repayment Obligations

Over the past year, numerous Ontario employers have had to downsize their operations and dismiss staff in response to the ongoing pandemic. Many of those who have lost their jobs turned to government income replacement programs while looking for new employment.

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COVID-19 & Employment, Employment Standards Kevin Patrick Robbins COVID-19 & Employment, Employment Standards Kevin Patrick Robbins

Ontario Creates New COVID-19 Rules for Temporary Layoffs and Terminations

Late in the day on Friday, May 29th, the Ontario Government quietly released a new regulation made pursuant to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (the “ESA”). Statutory regulations are not normally the stuff of excitement, even for lawyers. Yet this particular regulation, O. Reg. 228/20, Infectious Disease Emergency Leave (the “Regulation”), merits special consideration.

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Q&A Ontario Employment, COVID-19 & Employment Kevin Patrick Robbins Q&A Ontario Employment, COVID-19 & Employment Kevin Patrick Robbins

COVID-19 and the workplace: Answers to common Ontario employment questions

Please note: the situation with COVID-19 is continuing to rapidly develop. In the coming days and weeks, it is likely that both levels of government may introduce additional measures/legislation that could impact employee rights/obligations. We will look to update this page accordingly. If, however, you have specific questions about your workplace entitlements, please contact an employment lawyer directly.

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Coronavirus (COVID-19): What Ontario Employers Should Know

For the past two months, the attention of the world has been fixed on Wuhan, China, as the epicentre of a new respiratory virus. The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (or 2019-nCoV) has been declared a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” by the World Health Organization and as of February 8, 2020, there have been eight (8) confirmed cases in Canada.

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