Tag: Alberta

Alberta workers’ compensation: a refocus

by Theodore Fong This year has seen many developments in the labor and employment fields in Canada. One recent development concerns the Alberta Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB), one of several public agencies across Canada to administer an insurance plan for injured or ill workers. Its no-fault insurance system has been in place for nearly a […]

Single mom wins rotating shift job—then wants days only—and court agrees

by Christian Paquette Did an employer discriminate against a single mother when it required her to work the regular shift rotation job she’d applied for? An Alberta court was recently asked to rule whether an arbitrator was right in deciding against the employer. The court in SMS Equipment Inc. v. CEP, Local 707 agreed that […]

Appeal Court Overrides Extravagant Jury Award in Wrongful Dismissal Case

By Kyla Stott-Jess Canadian employers that fear large jury awards in wrongful dismissal cases can breathe a little easier in the wake of a recent Alberta Court of Appeal decision. In Elgert v. Home Hardware Stores Ltd., the court of appeal said a $500,000 jury award for aggravated and punitive damages in a wrongful dismissal […]

Security Company Failed to Protect One of Its Own Working Alone

By Jennifer Shepherd and Katie Clayton Do you have employees working alone? If so, you may be required to assess your workplace and take measures to reduce risks of possible harm to workers. Indeed, many Canadian provinces require such action. A recent Alberta case demonstrates the tragic outcome that can befall a worker if you […]

Permanent Immigration from United States to Canada

By Gilda Villaran How can an American resident become a Canadian citizen? Only permanent residents of Canada can apply. Therefore, one must start with applying for permanent resident status. There are various ways to become a permanent resident of Canada. This article will focus on those who apply in the “economic class.” For those applying […]

Is Requiring Single Parent to Work Night Shift Family Status Discrimination?

by Ralph Nero and Ida Martin Can an employer require a single parent to start occasionally working the night shift? A recent board of arbitration decision out of Alberta answered — yes. This Alberta decision is the latest in our coverage of decisions wrestling with the workplace application of discrimination on the basis of family […]

Prehiring Credit Checks Restricted in Alberta

By Lorene Novakowski Employers are often tasked with creating systems to reduce employee theft or fraud. Such systems can include many things including credit checks on potential employees. Recently, Mark’s Work Wearhouse in Alberta was stunned to learn that such credit checks weren’t permissible in the circumstances — even when a number of other measures […]

More Amendments to Human Rights Legislation in Canada

by Katie Clayton and Farrah Sunderani Over the past couple of years, human rights legislation across Canada has undergone a period of transition. This comes as a response to growing dissatisfaction with outdated statutes and the lengthy processes in place to resolve complaints. Amendments to the British Columbia Human Rights Code were proposed in 2002 […]

Employee’s Blogging Justified Firing — But Dismissal Overturned Anyway

Social networking sites and blogs are growing phenomena that present challenges to employers. Internet blogging allows people to publicly express their opinions like never before. Sometimes the viewpoints expressed affect the employment relationship. Canadian case law on this topic is just starting. There are only a few decisions where injurious blogging concerning workplace-related matters warranted […]

Limits Placed on Videotaping Picket Line Activities

In October and November 2006, members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 401 were on strike and picketing at Palace Casino, located at one of Canada’s largest malls — West Edmonton Mall. Striking union members pointed a video camera at the entrance of the casino, recording the image of everyone who crossed the […]