Resources
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Grievance time limit provisions – do they work?
December 2015
There are sound labour relations policy reasons for having a strong time limit provision in a collective agreement. A time limit requires the union to administer the collective agreement in a prompt manner, and prevents it from resurrecting old disputes. When a time limit expires and no grievance is filed, an employer is entitled to assume that the union will not challenge its decision.
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Domestic violence in the workplace – not just the NHL’s problem
December 2015
Sadly, it is far too common that we hear of news headlines involving professional athletes charged or convicted of assaulting their partners or spouses, e.g. “Kings Defenseman Voynov Suspended Indefinitely”, and “TSN Analyst Aaron Ward Arrested.”
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Tribunal Costs Award Goes Against Complainant
December 2015
A recent decision in Singh v. Revera Home Health, [2015] B.C.H.R.T.D. No. 800 by Chair Bernd Walter of the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal will be of interest to users of the human rights system, particularly in jurisdictions like British Columbia or Ontario which have a “direct access” model.
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$75,000 award for injury to dignity = “patently unreasonable”
December 2015
In January 2014, we reported on Kelly v. University of British Columbia (No. 4), 2013 BCHRT 302, a case in which the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal (the “Tribunal”) more than doubled its previous record for injury to dignity damages by awarding the complainant $75,000 (the “Tribunal Decision”).
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Bullying and Harassment: The treatment of complaints and claims by WorkSafeBC and employers
November 2015
Effective July 1, 2012, the Workers Compensation Act has included broader coverage for mental disorders arising from workplace incidents, including bullying and harassment. Consistent with its mandate to not only provide coverage for workplace injuries, but to also …
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Reducing Exposure to Aggravated Damages: Lessons from Dhatt v. Kal Tire Ltd.
September 2015
A recent decision of the BC Supreme Court provides valuable insight into the manner in which aggravated damages will be awarded to employees, and reinforces the significance of conducting thorough investigations before terminating an employee for cause.
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National Labour Relations board Adopts New Test for Determining “Joint Employer Status”
September 2015
In a ground-breaking decision published on August 27, 2015 (BFI Newby Island Recyclery) the National Labour Relations Board revisited the test to be used in determining whether two employers should be considered as a “joint employer” for the purposes of applying the provisions of the National Labor Relations Act.
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The Duty to Accommodate Medical Marijuana in the Workplace
August 2015
Across North America, attitudes towards marijuana use, both recreational and medical, are changing quickly. To the south of our border, several U.S. states, including Washington, Colorado, Alaska and Oregon, have legalized the recreational use of cannabis.
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Employer Allowed to Call Rebuttal Evidence in Text Message Controversy
November 2015
In BC Hydro & Power Authority and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 258 (August 4, 2015) Arbitrator Moore considered the Employer’s application to call rebuttal evidence. In particular, BC Hydro (or the “Employer”) sought to call expert rebuttal evidence regarding albacore tuna.
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