01May 24
The Perils of Bias in Workplace GenAI
In the rapidly evolving landscape of tech, Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is becoming a central player, especially in sectors like customer service, content creation, and…
Free Webinar: Employment Agreements
March 2, 2023
So many of our clients come to us with legal issues that resulted from poorly crafted employment agreements.
Join us as we walk you through the key components of legally-compliant, enforceable and up-to-date employment agreements.
Date: Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Time: 10:30-11:00 am EST
Register today: Click here!
When Professional and Personal Lives Mingle: Managing Workplace Romances
February 22, 2023
Toronto Mayor John Tory shocked the city last week by announcing his resignation due to an intimate relationship with one of his staff. Whatever your opinions about infidelity or John Tory may be, the scandal is a reminder to employers that workplace relationships may develop outside of professional boundaries. At best, these professional-turned-personal connections lead to a healthy and happy relationship for the employees in question. They put up professional boundaries while at work, you get a wedding invitation in the mail and, bonus, they can now carpool to the office. Not all relationships will not follow such a seamless trajectory, however, and can lead to significant disruption and ethical and legal conundrums for an employer. A Relationships at Work policy sets expectations to help avoid those bumpier roads.
Waksdale Reviews Spark Joy
February 15, 2023
A new year often means some level of house-cleaning by employers, including the updating of core workplace documents. SpringLaw has seen a spike in this work because many employers understand, now more than ever, the need to have their employment contracts reviewed, with a particular focus on termination provisions. This review should include any ancillary policies, Codes of Conduct, or plan documents referencing when and under what circumstances an immediate termination for cause can occur. We refer to this as a ‘Waksdale review’ because it is driven by the court’s reasoning in Waksdale v. Swegon North America. For legal nerds, our prior blog details why a Waksdale review is necessary.
Free webinar: Termination Provisions 101
February 9, 2023
Join SpringLaw’s Lisa Stam and Emily Siu for our first webinar of 2023 as we walk you through termination provisions in employment contracts to ensure your business is well-equipped for 2023.
We’ll cover:
- why termination provisions are such a core business issue
- the legal headaches & costs of poorly drafted or outdated termination provisions
- how to make sure your termination provisions are enforceable
Date: Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Time: 10:30-11:00 am EST
Register today: Click here!
An Open Dialogue: Black History Month
February 9, 2023
Every February, Canadians across the country celebrate the incredible achievements and honour the legacy of Black Canadians during Black History Month. The official theme of this year’s Black History Month is “Ours to tell”. This theme is all about engaging in an open dialogue and committing to learning more about the stories Black Canadians and Black communities have to tell about their histories, successes, sacrifices and triumphs. With a commitment to open dialogue in mind, let’s talk about creating an equitable, inclusive and safe workplace.
What do Equity, Diversity and Inclusion really mean?
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) are often talked about, but what do these words really mean when it comes to the workplace? By way of definition, diversity is about a workplace’s composition, inclusion ensures everyone has a voice and is heard, and equity is about making sure everyone has what they need to succeed. This does not mean employees are all treated equally. Employers need to be aware of disadvantaged, vulnerable and marginalized workers and ensure they have fair opportunities at work.
Selling, Closing, or Buying a Business? Consider Your Employment Law Liabilities! (Part II)
February 1, 2023
Buying a Business
This post will explore some of the employment law issues that should be considered if you’re purchasing a business. Employment law-related factors to review when selling or closing your business were covered in Part I.
This post focuses on businesses with non-unionized workforces. Unionized workplaces have their own distinct issues that must be addressed when purchasing a business and a lawyer should be consulted regarding those as well.
Strong entrepreneurial spirits truly are critical components of any healthy economy. Many people dream of being their own boss – directing the growth of a company and taking an active role in their own future prosperity while providing a product or service that they are passionate about. Purchasing a business with an established business model and customer base can be a great way to give yourself a head start on these goals, but it’s essential to consider all of your possible risks and liabilities when doing so. Completing a fulsome review of your potential employment law risks as part of your due diligence is the best first step to protecting your investment. You can’t know what other actions will be helpful without taking this initial step.
