Human Resources
Refusing Unsafe Work
A person must not participate in any work process or the operation of any tool, appliance or equipment if that person has reasonable cause to believe that to do so would create an undue hazard to the health and safety of any person.
RECREATIONAL CANNABIS AND IMPAIRED DRIVING LAWS
In October of 2018, recreational cannabis became legal in Canada. In response to this, the Federal Government has amended impaired driving laws. This comes as no surprise given that: impaired driving is already the leading criminal cause of death and injury in Canada, even before legalization; Statistics Canada estimates that a drug impaired driving offence… Continue reading RECREATIONAL CANNABIS AND IMPAIRED DRIVING LAWS
OH CANNABIS
Cannabis has been legal since 2018, so here are 17 things you should know:
Managing Substance Use In The Workplace
BC’s tourism and hospitality industry is known for many things, including helpful, friendly, warm, welcoming staff who are always ready with a smile. Unfortunately, like many other sectors, substance use negatively affects our industry through absenteeism, lost productivity, and health and safety concerns. Whether dealing with an employee who is impaired on the job, taking… Continue reading Managing Substance Use In The Workplace
Doctor’s Notes: When Should An Employer Ask For One?
Is it OK to ask employees for a doctor’s note if they are off work due to illness? Do you have to wait a certain number of days before you can ask for a doctor’s note?
The Supreme Court Broadens the Limits of Workplace Discrimination: Schrenk v. British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal
The Supreme Court of Canada has addressed (and greatly widened) the scope of “employment” for purposes of human rights legislation in a decision issued on December 15, 2017. The case originated in British Columbia and involved a civil engineer (the “Complainant”) who was employed on a road improvement project. Like many construction worksites across Canada,… Continue reading The Supreme Court Broadens the Limits of Workplace Discrimination: Schrenk v. British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal
Human Rights Tribunal and Complaint Process
Human Rights Tribunal and Complaint Process All complaints are filed directly with the Human Rights Tribunal. The BC Human Rights Tribunal is an independent, quasi-judicial body, responsible for accepting, screening, mediating and adjudicating human rights complaints. The complaint process provides many opportunities to settle the dispute, including mediation, early intervention by tribunal staff and a… Continue reading Human Rights Tribunal and Complaint Process
Key Issues of the Employment Standards Act
What follows is a brief review of your obligations under the Employment Standards Act on the key issues of overtime, uniforms, tips, dine-and-dash, cash shortages, vacations, split shifts, call-in, statutory holidays and breaks.
Trial by Fire
Recent Fires highlight importance of EFAP, preparedness. In recent years forest fires have devastated the country, especially in British Columbia. These emergencies highlight the importance of preparedness and effective administration of employee and family assistance programs (EFAP) to affected employees. Bob Veder and Noi Quao wrote this article originally in 2017 in response to the… Continue reading Trial by Fire
Employees’ Religious Needs: Accommodate Them or Face Costly Consequences
In many cases, the BC Human Rights Tribunal has awarded individual employees thousands of dollars in lost pay and damages when an employer did not accommodate their religious (not spiritual) needs. Know your legal obligations.