Helping Employers Throughout Ontario
As a busy employer, keeping abreast of your legal obligations can be a constant challenge
Employment Law Solutions for Ontario Businesses
Employers have many competing obligations to juggle: responding to the needs of their customers, remaining competitive within an ever-shifting marketplace, and building and maintaining successful and motivated workplaces.
At Vey Willetts LLP, we help employers by simplifying processes and creating efficiencies. We offer practical and responsive advice to help our employer clients structure their operations in a way that works for them, while ensuring legal compliance and allowing their focus to remain on what matters: their business. We help our employer clients navigate the employment relationship from start to finish.
Our expertise includes drafting employment offers and policies, helping resolve workplace disputes, responding to allegations of workplace harassment and/or violence, managing employee performance and guiding employers through the dismissal process (whether due to operational concerns or as a result of employee misconduct). We strive to offer frank and practical legal advice to both minimize costs and foster positive work environments.
We have extensive experience working with a wide range of public and private sector employers in both the unionized and non-unionized context:
Automotive Dealerships
National Banks
Service Sector Companies (restaurants and retailers)
Technology Companies
Financial Management Companies
Property Management Companies
Hydro-electric Companies
Police Departments
Municipalities
Food and Beverage Producers
Universities
Mining Companies
Hospitals
Your Guides to Employment Law Compliance in Ontario
We help our employer clients resolve disputes through mediation or advocate on their behalf in litigation through the courts. We represent employer clients in administrative proceedings before the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, the Canada Industrial Relations Board, and at private arbitration.
Sometimes, our clients come to us after a situation in the workplace has already become a cause for concern. At times, the employer will have received a letter from a lawyer representing a current or former employee, or perhaps been served with a claim as part of a lawsuit. Disputes of this nature often arise over severance entitlements, harassment allegations, allegations of workplace discrimination or another alleged breach of contract (i.e. bonus/commission payments, vacation pay or overtime entitlements).
It is often far more efficient for us to give advice and assistance before problems arise in the workplace. Employers can save themselves an enormous amount of time and money by taking simple proactive steps to put in place (and apply) effective policies and carefully-drafted employment agreements. We also apply a proactive approach to limiting employers’ liability around termination, including discussing disciplinary methods, termination letters and employment standards.
Workplace Legal Services for Employers
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Employment Standards Compliance
Non-compliance can result in legal issues, making it crucial for businesses to seek legal advice on employment standards and worker rights.
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Occupational Health and Safety
From expanding protections for interns to new requirements around workplace harassment, occupational health and safety law now encompasses much more than rules to help prevent accidents at work.
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Wrongful Dismissal Litigation
Whether you have received a demand letter from a former employee or been served a Statement of Claim, wrongful dismissal cases can be a painful distraction from running your business. When faced with such claims, it is important to take them seriously and respond effectively.
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Labour Relations
Our lawyers are experienced with advising both federally- and provincially-regulated employers and navigating the specific requirements of the Ontario Labour Relations Act and the Canada Labour Code, as applicable.
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Absenteeism and Attendance Management
Employee absenteeism can be a strain on your operations and a significant expense. If poorly handled the problem can grow worse, exposing your company to claims ranging from discrimination to constructive dismissal.
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Employment Contracts
Drafting a clear and enforceable employment contract that properly protects your interests is one of the most important things that a business can do. Employment disputes often focus on the language used in an employment contract, and its content can come back years later to haunt employers.
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Workplace Policies
Clearly-drafted workplace policies should be the cornerstone of employee management at any business. In addition to the benefit that accrues from voluntarily-implemented policies, Ontario law explicitly calls for the implementation of certain policies, such as the requirement to have an anti-harassment policy in place.
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Human Rights & Compliance
Our team has significant experience drafting accommodation and anti-harassment policies, as well as litigating these issues in both the courts and human rights tribunals. As such, we are well-positioned to provide advice in regard to navigating these challenges and ensuring a legally-compliant and productive workplace.
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Employee Termination
There a number of rules in Ontario that govern how a termination should take place. They can be complex and stem both from statute (being set out in the Employment Standards Act) or the common law (i.e. judge-made law). These rules operate in tandem to set the payment requirements that employers must meet.
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Strategic Human Resources Support
We offer a number of strategic services to complement your internal HR functioning, including advice on best practices, drafting a wide range of documents (such as workplace policies and employment agreements) and responding to employee concerns or complaints.
A Proven Track Record of Legal Success
Employment and Labour Laws are not always straightforward, but whether you are an employee or an employer, understanding your rights and duties will only stand to benefit you. Reach out to an employment lawyer or labour lawyer today if you have any questions and be sure to get what you deserve and safeguard yourself for the future. The lawyers at Vey Willetts LLP have a proven track record and are happy to assist. Our Ottawa employment lawyers and labour lawyers serve clients throughout both Ottawa and Ontario.
Call us today at 613-238-4430, 1-800-296-7989 or fill out our online form.