The worst has just happened. You have been fired. They say its restructuring or downsizing or “without cause” … but, the reason doesn’t matter. You’ve been fired and your world comes to a crashing stop. What do you do now 1. DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING! You will walk out of the termination meeting feeling deflated…
Read MoreCOVID-19 Vaccination Mandates in BC Workplaces
TagsArticles, Employment and HR Law for the COVID-19 Pandemic, Employment LawCOVID-19 vaccination policies in BC workplaces are giving rise to a number of provincial legal implications and public policy considerations that should be carefully considered by all employers as they deliberate on whether to implement a workplace policy concerning COVID-19 vaccinations for their employees. It is this writer’s position that employers can implement such a…
Read MorePaid Sick Leave Requirements in British Columbia
TagsArticles, Employment LawEffective as of January 1, 2022, BC employers are required to provide eligible employees with up to five (5) days of paid sick leave per year. BC is the first province to provide paid sick days to employees. The need for paid sick days has been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, where many employees who…
Read MoreHow To Stratify A Property
TagsArticles, Strata Property LawIf you own property that has the correct zoning then you may be able to create a strata on that property. This has become popular with owners to capitalized on new potential for their property as part of Kelowna’s infill project, and for developers to take advantage of development in desirable areas of Kelowna. In…
Read MoreDoes your workplace require a health and safety program? Some Q & A about the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation
TagsArticles, Employment LawWorkSafeBC is an organization established by the provincial legislation, the Workers Compensation Act, RSBC 2019, c 1 (the “WCA”), and has a mandate to oversee a no-fault insurance system for workplaces in our province. The current version of the WCA has 12 associated regulations which help define and apply the WCA. One of those regulations…
Read MoreAmendments to the BC Employment Standards Act aimed at protecting under-aged Employees
TagsArticles, Employment LawBritish Columbia was the only jurisdiction in Canada to allow for children to enter the workforce at age 12, but new amendments to the Employment Standards Act that come into force on October 15, 2021 will change that and bring British Columbia in line with Canadian and International standards for employing children. Employers who currently…
Read MoreFailure to Mitigate Damages Results in “Discounted” Severance Entitlement
TagsEmployment LawWhen an employee is terminated from their employment, they have a duty to mitigate their damages – meaning that the individual needs to take active and demonstrable steps to apply for and attempt to secure alternative employment. If the employee finds alternative employment in the reasonable notice period, then the amounts earned are generally discounted…
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Business Matters with Rob Cupello
TagsEmployment and HR Law for the COVID-19 PandemicBusiness Matters with Rob Cupello Click below to watch our Business Matters session with Rob Cupello of NowMedia Group.
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Can an Employer Terminate an Employee Who Refuses to Wear a Mask?
TagsEmployment and HR Law for the COVID-19 Pandemic, Employment LawAs the norms of society have shifted as a result of COVID-19, the issue of wearing a mask or not has become a contentious issue in and outside of the workplace. While preventative masking is not mandatory pursuant to government legislation, many businesses are requiring customers and employees to mask. A private business is well…
Read MoreA Careful Restart: Important Information for Employers Re-opening Business Operations
TagsEmployment and HR Law for the COVID-19 PandemicBy: Nikita Gush, Associate Lawyer at Doak Shirreff Lawyers LLP Employers have a duty to protect the workplace health, safety, privacy, and human rights of their employees. As our province begins to “restart” it is important for employers to consider the responsibilities they have while they re-open and restart their business operations. As you may…
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