Resources
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COVID-19 Vaccine Passport versus the Right to Privacy
June 4, 2021
As B.C. plans a hopeful reopening, many major decisions are still on the horizon to help return Canadians back to “normal life.” One significant consideration is the implementation and use of a COVID-19 vaccine passport. In a joint statement on May 19, 2021 by the Federal, Provincial and Territorial Privacy Commissioners (the “Joint Privacy Statement”), they urged the government to keep privacy concerns front of mind when evaluating a COVID-19 vaccine passport.
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Record-Setting Damages Awarded by B.C. Human Rights Tribunal Following Racial Discrimination
May 19, 2021
On January 28, 2021, the former Chair of the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal, Diana Juricevic, issued her decision respecting remedy after finding that the Government of British Columbia discriminated and retaliated against a corrections officer contrary to the B.C. Human Rights Code (the “Remedy Decision”).
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Managing Mental Health in the Workplace
May 17, 2021
Employers often face unique challenges when dealing with employees who suffer from mental health issues. This article highlights the essential points of an employer’s duty to accommodate employees with mental disabilities in the workplace.
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WorkSafeBC Decisions Provide Clarification Regarding Employer Actions Related to COVID-19 Safety
April 29, 2021
Two recent WorkSafeBC cases provide guidance regarding unacceptable worker actions in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and related health and safety issues. Both cases dealt with prohibited action complaints brought by a dismissed worker against a former employer under sections 47 to 50 of the B.C. Workers Compensation Act.
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Hot Mic Catches Ref Offside
April 19, 2021
In March, referee Tim Peel was captured on a hot mic boasting about calling a penalty because he “wanted to.” In less than 24 hours, Peel’s employment with the National Hockey League (NHL) had been terminated. In its statement, the NHL said “Nothing is more important than ensuring the integrity of our game.”
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What Employers Need to Know…About COVID Vaccines (Video)
April 9, 2021
James Kondopulos spoke recently with Patrick Stafford-Smith of the North Vancouver Chamber regarding considerations for employers as it relates to employees and the rollout of vaccinations.
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Discharge Upheld for Employee Who Violated Employer’s COVID-19 Policies
March 2021
Previously printed in the LexisNexis Labour Notes Newsletter.
In Labourers’ International Union of North America, Loc. 183 v. AECON Industrial, 2020 CanLII 91950 (ON LA) (Carrier), the discharge of an employee who attended work after exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms and contrary to his employer’s direction was upheld. This decision offers a firm rebuke against conduct which potentially puts other employees at risk of contracting the virus, and provides employers with strong support for issuing significant discipline in response to that kind of misconduct.
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Employee Reinstated Despite “Ongoing Pattern of Disrespect” for Employer’s COVID-19 Safety Protocols
March 2021
Previously printed in the LexisNexis Labour Notes Newsletter.
In the recent decision of Trillium Health Partners v. CUPE, Loc. 5180, 2021 CanLII 127 (Jesin), an Ontario arbitrator, Norm Jesin, reinstated an employee to employment after he was suspended and subsequently discharged for failing to adhere to the employer’s COVID-19 safety protocols.
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Search of Employee’s Private Social Media Amounts to Privacy Breach, “Tainting” Misconduct Investigation
March 24, 2021
In the recent case of Canadian Broadcasting Corporation v Canadian Media Guild, 2021 CanLII 761 (Slotnik), a BC arbitrator reinstated an employee who had been fired for cause after his employer, the CBC, discovered that he had leaked his concerns about the CBC’s policies to other news organizations.
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