About Marie-Yosie Saint-Cyr, LL.B. Managing Editor
Relying on breach of policy to discipline employees
When an employer seeks to rely on a breach of policy in disciplining an employee, the employer must prove that it clearly communicated the policy to the employee in question and has enforced the policy consistently. The importance of such communication in enforcement of workplace policies was demonstrated in Lambe v. Irving Oil Ltd.
Marie-Yosie Saint-Cyr, LL.B. Managing Editor
6 minutes read
February 23, 2012 
Slaw: Why I was compelled to watch ‘Pan Am’
Why I was compelled to watch the television show Pan Am? To see if they would accurately portray the workplace culture of the 1960’s, which I have heard about and find very intriguing. In addition, with the recent Air Canada labour troubles on my mind, the show seemed a propos.
Marie-Yosie Saint-Cyr, LL.B. Managing Editor
Manitoba employer obligations on election day
The next provincial election in Manitoba is scheduled for Tuesday, October 4, 2011. Employers have certain obligations to employees under the Manitoba Election Act. The writs have been issued for Manitoba’s 40th general election providing for a 28-day election campaign. The lawn signs are out and political parties in Manitoba have kicked their campaigns into high gear.
Marie-Yosie Saint-Cyr, LL.B. Managing Editor
Slaw: IQT’s closure: A fine example of poor corporate values!
On July 15, 2011, several workers showed up to work as usual at IQT Solutions, only to be told that their employer had unexpectedly shut down its Canadian operations: three call centres, one in Ontario and two in Quebec. About 1,200 IQT employees were suddenly unemployed with no final paycheque, vacation pay or notice of termination.
Marie-Yosie Saint-Cyr, LL.B. Managing Editor
Slaw: Welcoming Reservists back home – and back to work
Now and in the coming months, members of the Canadian Forces will be returning from military service in Afghanistan in significant numbers. Many of them, Reservists, will be returning to civilian work. We all owe these soldiers a debt of gratitude for their service. Employers specifically owe them a number of legal obligations, under Employment/Labour Standards legislation in various jurisdictions.
Marie-Yosie Saint-Cyr, LL.B. Managing Editor
Bill 168, workplace violence and harassment provisions in OHSA – A year in review – Learn the latest
Nearly one year ago, the Ontario government enacted Bill 168, which added workplace violence and harassment provisions to the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Many employers were ready, but many are still scrambling to comply, which, among other things, includes developing written policies to address both violence and harassment at work and to review those policies at least once a year.
Marie-Yosie Saint-Cyr, LL.B. Managing Editor
Slaw: Manitoba introduces Canada’s first Adult Abuse Registry
On May 11, 2011, Manitoba proposed Canada’s first adult abuse registry as well as tough new offences and penalties to better protect adults with intellectual disabilities. The registry would make the names of those who abuse or neglect vulnerable adults under any Act available to employers for screening potential employees or volunteers. Similar registries already exist in the United States.
Marie-Yosie Saint-Cyr, LL.B. Managing Editor
Slaw: AODA era part II: What’s up next? The proposed integrated accessibility regulation
The Information and Communication, Employment and Transportation Standards have all been combined in the Proposed Integrated Accessibility Regulation (PIAR). This proposed regulation is currently under public review till March 18, 2011. Proposed compliance timelines are included. I was told by a source close to the ministry that the final version of the Integrated Accessibility Regulation will…
Marie-Yosie Saint-Cyr, LL.B. Managing Editor
Proposed expanded window for WSIB’s NEER policy
Another significant WSIB change is the draft Work Reintegration NEER policy. The new Work Reintegration NEER policy, which came into effect on December 1, 2010, subject to a consultation period until February 15, 2011, expands the window of retrospective rating of claims costs for those employers subject to NEER to…
Marie-Yosie Saint-Cyr, LL.B. Managing Editor