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The dismantling of DEI programs: A racialized person’s response

March 12, 2025 | By Dana J. Campbell-Stevens

My colleague Liliane Gingras recently wrote a blog titled, “The dismantling of DEI programs: A lawyer’s response.” In that blog, Liliane discussed her concerns regarding the current DEI backlash. Specifically, she expressed concern that some may believe that the absence of a DEI program in the workplace may mean that legal protection from discrimination disappears, which is not the case.

When interests collide: Responding to conflicts of interest in the workplace

March 12, 2025 | By Liliane Gingras

As far as non-human rights matters go, conflicts of interest are a frequent cause of employee complaints. Some employees believe that it is their duty to report what they perceive to be a conflict-of-interest situation.

Qui est impartial ? Réflexions sur l’affaire Toronto Metropolitan Faculty Association v. Toronto Metropolitan University

March 5, 2025 | By Elizabeth Bingham, | By Alexandra Djagba Oli

L’une de nos responsabilités premières en tant qu’enquêteur(e)s en milieu de travail est d’être impartial. Les raisons de cette exigence sont assurément évidentes : si nous menions une enquête avec une idée préconçue de nos conclusions finales ou si nous favorisions une partie à l’enquête au détriment de l’autre, notre enquête ne serait pas équitable, et les participant(e)s n’auraient aucune raison de croire à l’intégrité de celle-ci.

Love is in the air? Investigating romantic relationships in the workplace

February 13, 2025 | By Liliane Gingras

At some point in their careers, most investigators will be asked to investigate a matter involving a workplace romantic relationship. I have certainly seen my fair share of these cases over the years. In this blog, I provide an overview of the circumstances that may lead to an investigation into a workplace romantic relationship, and tips on how to conduct such an investigation.

Tale as old as time? Preliminary thoughts on the Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni sexual harassment suit

February 11, 2025 | By Chantel Levy

There may be more pressing news right now, but the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni lawsuit caught my eye. If you haven’t read about it — in a nutshell, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni acted as a couple in a recent movie, “It Ends with Us.”

The dismantling of DEI programs: A lawyer’s response

February 6, 2025 | By Liliane Gingras

It is a difficult time for anyone who works in the human rights space, like we do at Rubin Thomlinson LLP. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs are severely under attack and are being dismantled, at least south of the Canadian border, in the public and private sectors. I fear that Canada is not far behind.

Top 10 Webinar Follow-Up: Key Case Law Updates on Metrolinx & AMAPCEO

February 4, 2025 | By Cory Boyd, | By Chantel Levy, | By Lori-Ann Green

Recently, my partners, Janice Rubin and Christine Thomlinson, and I presented Rubin Thomlinson’s “Top 10 Workplace Investigation Cases of 2024” webinar. We had a packed agenda and, as a result, we were unable to get to two cases that revisited two arbitral decisions that had been “top cases” in previous webinars.

4 Reasons to support Respectful Workplace Training in the face of DEI Backlash

January 21, 2025 | By Lori-Ann Green

While we are probably best known for conducting and supporting investigations and providing investigation training, our firm’s passion is elevating workplace culture overall. One of the ways we do that is by facilitating Respectful Workplace Training (RWT) – while often narrowly viewed as harassment and discrimination training, RWT more broadly refers to any “training that will provide [workers] with information intended to help foster a respectful workplace.”

Serious insight for serious situations.