Employment Law

Our team of Employment and Workplace Law lawyers assists a variety of clients from small local business owners to large corporations operating in multiple jurisdictions, including owners and management of unionized and non-unionized companies, independent contractors, not for profits, and charitable organizations.

To learn more about your employment obligations during the COVID-19 crisis, please see our recent articles listed below, or visit our COVID-19 Resource Centre.

• COVID-19 Vaccinations: Mandatory in the Workplace?
• COVID-19 as an “Occupational Disease”
• Temporary layoffs, CERB, and CEWS: A COVID-19 update – August 20, 2020
• Protected leave and sick leave: What counts as “reasonably sufficient proof”?
• Employee rights to refuse unsafe work during COVID-19
• COVID-19 has shuttered my business. Can I lay off my workers? Should I abandon my lease?
• Federal COVID-19 supports: To CERB or to CEWS…that is the question
• Updating employment and workplace policies during COVID-19: Why it matters
• Government supports for your workplace during COVID-19
• Workplace “Privacy Tips” during COVID-19
• Employment Obligations During the COVID-19 Crisis
• Temporary Immigration Status in Canada during COVID-19

COVID-19 Resource Centre

Our services include:

Employment Contracts

We draft and review contracts for employees and independent contractors, paying consideration to issues including remuneration, stock options, non-solicitation and non-competition provisions, notice provisions, and compliance with applicable legislation.

Harassment/Bullying Polices

We help employers prepare harassment and bullying policies that protect employees and promote a healthy, positive, and productive workplace.

Workplace Investigations

We advise employers with respect adhering to the law when conducting workplace investigations regarding harassment, bullying, theft or any other adverse workplace conduct.

Employee Transfers during the Purchase or Sale of a Business

We assist both buyers and sellers of businesses in addressing employment issues, including preparing transitional services agreements, termination of existing employees and the hiring of new employees.

Employee Terminations

We help employers ensure that employee terminations are handled appropriately and that any termination notices are in compliance with all applicable laws, including both common law and statute.

We advise employees of their rights upon termination, including whether the notice period was sufficient based on their background and experience level, as well as researching any additional avenues of compensation such as wrongful dismissal, severance pay and other relevant employer obligations.

Doing Business in Canada

We help foreign businesses operating in Canada obtain the necessary registrations and licenses, and advise on local employment laws and practices. We are able to address and assist with any immigration issues affecting employees moving to Canada from abroad.

Privacy Issues

We advise employers on their statutory obligations and best practices to ensure the privacy of all relevant employee and customer information, including the drafting of privacy policies, employee handbooks, confidentiality agreements and other documents as appropriate. We also advise employers with respect to the legality of workplace surveillance and drug and alcohol testing.

Human Rights Disputes

We provide advice regarding human rights issues in the workplace and represent both employers and employees in BC Human Rights Tribunal proceedings.

Performance and Disability Management

We advise employers with respect to their legal obligations in relation to employees with long term disability leave issues, the duty to accommodate and disability management in the workplace.