The Dangers of Wrongful Dismissal in the Age of Long-COVID

Posted on by Ben Tarnow Posted in COVID-19, Wrongful Dismissal

While much of the world is starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic, the effects of the virus are still very much affecting the workplace.  

There is a staggering amount of the workforce in North America who have been rendered unable to work due to the ongoing effects of what has become known generally as Long COVID, although it is also known as Long COVID-19, COVID-19 Long Haul or Post-COVID-19 Syndrome.  Whatever you call it, Long COVID can cause damage to an individual’s organs, such as their brain, heart, skin, kidneys, and lungs.  There is also mounting evidence of significant neurological damage.  On top of the physical damage Long COVID leaves many people with ongoing emotional and mental health concerns.

Symptoms of Long-COVID

The symptoms that can relate to long-covid are varied and can include some or all of … Continue reading

Foreign Nationals Entering Canada for Business or Employment in 2022

Posted on by Ben Tarnow Posted in COVID-19, Foreign Nationals

The Government of Canada will be changing how they deal with foreign nationals entering Canada in light of the ongoing evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022.

As matters currently stand, individuals with business to transact in Canada, or foreign nationals who are employed in Canada can enter if they are vaccinated with little trouble.  For unvaccinated foreign nationals who wish to enter Canada for employment or business, entry into Canada is allowed so long as individuals quarantine for 14 days upon arrival and undergo a COVID-19 test upon arrival and 8 days thereafter with negative results.  

Changes to Rules for Foreign Nationals Entering Canada

However, changes are coming for the rules governing entry into Canada for foreign nationals and as of January 15, 2022 entry will become much more restrictive to foreign companies looking to do business in the Canadian market.  Most foreign nationals seeking entry to Canada will … Continue reading

Why Legal Guidance is Crucial in the COVID Era

Posted on by Graham Taylor Posted in COVID-19

Lawyers for COVID-19 Workplace Policies

Taylor & Blair LLP is honoured to be featured in Business in Vancouver.

While there has always been a number of legal issues that could rear their head in the workplace, the global COVID-19 pandemic has changed the face of the employment world.  New problems facing employers and employees alike are coming up with issues of labour shortages, vaccine and mask mandates, social distancing and working from home at the forefront of these changes.

Even though many of these changes are sudden, they do not change the state of the law regarding employment, unless legislated by the provincial or federal government.  Most employment contracts that exist never considered the unprecedented situations facing most workplaces.

The full article can be found here.

To understand how your rights or obligations have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic contact us today.… Continue reading

Employee Rights on the Sale of a Business

Posted on by Brian Jacobson Posted in Employment Contracts, Severance Entitlements

When businesses change ownership, employees are usually just happy to hear that they aren’t immediately losing their jobs. However, change of ownership can have far reaching consequences on an employee’s severance entitlements.

There are two methods in which a business can change hands:

  1. If the company is established as a corporation, the shares can be sold to a new person who will then take ownership; or
  2. The company can sell its assets to a new buyer.

When a company changes ownership through the sale of shares, the existing employees will automatically become employees of the new company. A share purchase means that the employer does not change – all that changes is who owns the company. It is the same cause and effect for unionized or unionized employees.

Alternatively, if the company changes hands via an asset sale, all employees’ tenure ends on the date the sale is finalized. This … Continue reading

Resignation v. Constructive Dismissal?

Posted on by Brian Jacobson Posted in Resignation, Constructive Dismissal

In most cases, an employee who resigns from employment is not legally entitled to severance. However, the distinction between resignation and constructive dismissal has become increasingly complex in employment litigation. In the recent case of Persaud v Telus Corporation, the Ontario Court of Appeal provides useful guidance regarding the effect of conduct in determining whether a resignation is actually a constructive dismissal, thereby entitling the employee to severance.

Case Overview

Ms. Persaud was an employee at Telus for seven years before her resignation in 2004. Soon after resigning, she asserted that she was constructively dismissed on two grounds: increased work hours and a toxic work environment.

At trial, the court dismissed all of Ms. Persuad’s claims. Justice Glustein held that to demonstrate a constructive dismissal claim, the reason for resignation must relate to either a unilateral change to an essential term of employment or a series of acts demonstrating … Continue reading