Your employer is generally required to honour the terms of your employment, especially when it comes to your pay. If you were promised a certain wage at hiring and didn’t agree to any changes, a reduction in pay could
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Performance Reviews: Legal Best Practices
Performance reviews are essential tools for evaluating employee productivity, aligning individual goals with business objectives, and improving workplace performance. In Ontario, however, these reviews must be carried out with legal care and consistency to avoid potential liability. Employers must ensure…
Counterclaim and Exemplary Damages in Employment Litigation
Facing an employment dispute can be stressful, especially when litigation is involved. But what happens when the tables turn and the employer files a counterclaim against the employee? Understanding how counterclaims work—and the potential for exemplary damages—can help both employers…
Workplace Dress in Ontario: What Belongs in Your Policy?
In Ontario, workplace dress codes are more than just fashion statements—they’re policy decisions. A clearly written dress code helps employers manage professionalism, safety, and inclusivity, all while reducing the risk of legal challenges. Yet, many organizations still overlook this critical…
Employee Handbook Ontario: A Guide to Its Importance and Benefits
An employee handbook is an essential document for businesses in Ontario, providing a structured framework for workplace policies, expectations, and procedures. While an employment contract governs the overall terms of employment, a handbook supplements it by detailing internal protocols—such…
Breach of Fiduciary Duty: 5 Signs Your Interests Are Compromised
A fiduciary is someone in a position of trust who is legally required to act in the best interests of another party. This includes corporate directors, business partners, trustees, and financial advisors. When an individual fails to uphold their fiduciary…
The Employment Contract in Ontario: Why They Matter
Every employment relationship in Ontario is governed by an agreement—whether written or implied. In unionized workplaces, this comes in the form of a collective agreement. In non-unionized settings, the employment contract may be written, verbal, or implied. Regardless of…
An Enforceable Employee Contract Explained
An enforceable employment contract in Ontario helps set expectations and reduce legal risks for both employers and employees. Whether you’re hiring staff or reviewing your own agreement, it’s essential to understand what makes an employment contract legally binding under Ontario’s…
Firing an Employee in Ontario: What Employers Need to Know
Firing an employee is never an easy decision, but it is sometimes necessary for the well-being of the business and its remaining workforce. In Ontario, the process of terminating an employee is governed by several laws designed to protect both…
Misconduct in the Workplace: What Employers Need to Know
Workplace misconduct can range from inappropriate behaviour and dishonesty to serious policy breaches or even illegal acts. For employers, handling misconduct properly is critical to protecting the organization and minimizing legal risks.Failing to respond to misconduct — or responding incorrectly…