HR compliance for the Changing Workplace
The Ontario Employment Law Conference is the best opportunity for employers to Learn the Latest about recent changes to HR compliance and return to work requirements due to COVID-19.
9:00 am
Welcome and Conference Opening
9:05 am
Allison Taylor
Terminations and Constructive Dismissals Arising From the Pandemic and the End of IDEL
- The implications of the end of IDEL and the lifting of the hold on deemed terminations of employees laid off because of the pandemic
- Review of the caselaw on whether employees laid off as a result of the pandemic are constructively dismissed under the common law
- Whether employees can claim that requiring them to return to the office is a constructive dismissal
9:50 am
Jeff Murray
Covid Vaccination Policies: The Latest Legal Developments
- Survey of the caselaw to date on the enforceability of Covid vaccination policies
- Comparison of the different types of vaccination policies that employers have adopted and what has been effective and not effective
- What now for covid vaccination policies?
10:30 am
Q&A + Break
10:45 am
Ryan Conlin
The Latest on Health and Safety Due Diligence
- Review of changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Act including increases in potential fines on individuals and senior executives, extensions of limitations periods and broadening of sentencing factors
- How the pandemic affected what it means for employers to exercise “due diligence” for health and safety
- What to do to ensure your organization’s health and safety policies and procedures are meeting the legal standard or “due diligence”
11:15 am
Haadi Malik
Remote Work Relationships
- Tax and payroll issues raised by employees working remotely outside of Ontario
- How employment laws apply to remote working employees including for health and safety, employment standards and human rights
- Potential legal risks of remote work relationships
- The scope of employer rights to manage remote working employees
- How to prepare an effective remote working policy
11:45 am
Morning Sessions Q&A
12:15 pm
Lunch Break
1:15 pm
Jeremy Schwartz
Investigating Workplace Harassment Complaints the Right Way
- When the legal duty to investigate is triggered
- What the courts and tribunals have been saying about the procedural requirements for a proper investigation
- Best practices for conducting investigations
2:00 pm
First Reference Product Demo
2:15 pm
Landon Young
The New Working for Workers Acts (2021 & 2022): Practical Tips for Compliance
- Review of the new legal duties imposed on employers
- Creating “Disconnecting From Work” and electronic monitoring policies that work for your organization
- How the new restrictions on non-competition covenants will apply and strategies for employers to protect themselves from competition from former employees
2:45 pm
Break
3:00 pm
Landon Young & Jeremy Schwartz
Managing Sick Days and Absenteeism: Have the Rules Changed?
- Whether changed employee and social expectations around sick days has reflected itself in the law
- Review of employers’ experiences with paid infectious disease emergency leave under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 and what to expect going forward
- Employers’ rights and legal options when abuse of sick days is suspected
- How an attendance policy can help navigate the absenteeism legal minefield
3:30 pm
Afternoon Sessions Q&A
4:00 pm
