Human Resources 101

The Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission receives many inquiries from employers, employees, job applicants and unions about drug and alcohol testing and about the employer’s duty to accommodate drug and alcohol dependencies in the workplace. Courts and human rights tribunals have acknowledged that drug and alcohol dependencies are medically recognised disabilities under human rights [...]

Recent census data shows the rapidly increasing number of visible minorities in Canada. This immediately leads to discussion of diversity.

“That will send the message that the provinces that do that — Alberta and others that aren’t reflective of these major cities — they will draw in the immigrants and then we’ll see more diversity besides [...]

A new Canadian website, Thinking Outside the Box, provides information on supporting employment for persons with disabilities. The site is for employers, job seekers, employees, and union representatives looking for information about making workplaces more accessible and inclusive.
From the press release announcing the launch:

The bilingual tool www.TOTB.ca is designed for employers, job seekers, employees, union [...]

Michael Fitzgibbon points to a new human rights blog, Human Rights in the Workplace. Blogger Donna Seale is a Canadian lawyer,

“who has been practicing in Manitoba since 1995. In 2006, I founded my own consulting company, Donna M. Seale Consulting Services, which provides preventive legal advice, training and investigation services in the area of human [...]

The Canadian Human Rights Commission receives a lot of complaints dealing with return to work after a prolonged employee absence. Part of the Commission’s function is to help employers manage these ca…

I’ve pointed to the Keays v. Honda Canada case a couple of times. It was a record-setting judgement two years ago. The Ontario Court of Appeal reduced the punitive damages about six months ago. Now the Supreme Court of Canada is getting involved.

Employment Law – Unjust Dismissal – Punitive damages – Standards of Review – [...]

Canadian human rights law requires employers to accommodate diversity in the workplace. While the principle of accommodation applies to all grounds protected by human rights legislation, it is most commonly applied to the area employees with disabilities.
Connie Reeve of Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP has written a article outlining employer obligations to disabled employees.
What are the practical and [...]

RCMP Constable Nancy Sulz was awarded $950,000.00 for past and future wage loss due to the severe psychological harm she suffered following her Commanding Officer’s persistent harassment. She was not expected to ever be able to work again. The BCCA upheld the award against the Provincial Government, which was found vicariously liable for the RCMP’s [...]

The following decision comes from an Alberta Human Rights Commission investigation into a workplace sexual harassment complaint.
Diane Carr v. Humpty’s Family Restaurant and Humpty’s Restaurants International Inc. (July 21, 2006; Delano W. Tolley, Panel Chair)
Discrimination – Grounds – Gender – Sexual Harassment – Area – Employment – Kitchen worker alleged sexual harassment at the [...]