Constructive Dismissal

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One of the most common inquiries I receive in regards to my employment law practice is questions concerning the issue of constructive dismissal. It is a principle often misunderstood by both employers and employees alike. In practical terms, constructive dismissal describes a situation where the employer has not directly fired the employee, but rather, has…


Severance Packages (in non-union jobs)

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I am frequently retained to review severance packages that have been handed to someone who has just been fired.  Typically the package will contain a covering letter with an offer, details about any outstanding entitlement to benefits such as life insurance or pensions, a release, a recommendation to get independent legal advice, and a deadline […]


BC Family Day and Your Pay

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Last year’s announcement by Premier Christy Clark of a new statutory holiday was to the delight of many employees across the province.  The inaugural Family Day on February 11, 2013, brings the total to ten statutory holidays in British Columbia, sharing the honours with Saskatchewan for the most number of statutory holidays in the country. […]


Privacy and the Workplace: How much can your employer spy on you?

On , In Employment Law

For those who champion privacy rights the recent decision in R v. Cole by Canada’s highest court is being treated as no small victory. In a clear win for privacy rights advocates the Supreme Court of Canada in one of its more notable decisions of the year ruled that an employee’s privacy in the workplace, […]


Lifting the Covers on Infidelity in the Workplace

On , In Employment Law

The recent events surrounding General Petraeus and his female biographer-turned-mistress have once again ignited hot debate regarding workplace infidelity and the infelicitous actions that workplace relationships sometimes spawn. Even though adultery is not an offence under criminal law it can still carry legal ramifications. The United States military is one such example where infidelity is […]


Employees: Too Ugly to Hire, or a Must Fire?

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Human rights and discrimination in Canada have come a long way. The BC Human Rights Code states that an employer cannot discriminate against an employee or prospective employee because of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, political belief, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, age, or a criminal conviction that is […]


Can you be fired for being videoed at a riot?

On , In Employment Law

Given the massive public outcry following the recent Vancouver Stanley Cup riot, many employers are feeling pressure to deal with employees who were caught in photos or videoed at the riot. The question becomes this: if a “misbehaving” employee was seen participating in the riot – or even worse, possibly committing an illegal offence –…


Toxic work environments – what you need to know

On , In Employment Law

Canadians spend a large portion of our daily life working, making a healthy workplace environment an essential part of our overall well-being. Toxic work environments can have overwhelming and far-reaching effects on both employers and employees alike. To ensure that the workplace remains a positive and productive place for everybody, there are a number of…