Serious insight for serious situations.

Serious insight for serious situations.

Insights

Reflections and news direct from Rubin Thomlinson.
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B.C. Human Rights Tribunal Tackles Complainant Credibility

One of the frequent questions we are asked when conducting our workplace investigation training is, “When faced with conflicting evidence at the end of a workplace investigation, how can we make decisions about the relative credibility of the parties and witnesses?” Even more challenging can be articulating the reasons why you believe the evidence of

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Mental stress provisions of Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997, declared unconstitutional by WSIAT

In a landmark decision that could have a significant impact on employers, the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (“WSIAT”, or the “Tribunal”) recently declared sections 13(4) and (5) of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 – which preclude entitlement to WSIB benefits for chronic mental stress – to be unconstitutional. That decision,

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Workplace hazards: A tragic reminder to expect the unexpected

On Wednesday, May 7, 2014, a worker was tragically – and fatally – attacked by large black bear at a Suncor mining facility near Fort McMurray, Alberta. It seems trite to observe that the worker’s encounter with the bear (as opposed to the types of industrial hazards more readily associated with mining operations) would have

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A litigation primer for employers: what to expect (and what to do) when you’re expecting a wrongful dismissal claim

Litigation is rarely the preferred option for employers, but when an employer and a former employee cannot agree on the terms of a severance package, litigation may be inevitable. As an employer, what can you expect when you’re expecting a wrongful dismissal claim? Here is a high-level overview of the major steps in wrongful dismissal

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What the Premier League clearly did not learn from the Miami Dolphins

Just last week, I wrote about the Miami Dolphins’ swift and effective response to offensive tweets posted by a player in response to the NFL’s draft of its first openly gay player, Michael Sam. Within a week, news of offensive and sexist e-mails written by Richard Scudamore, the Chief Executive of the Premier League, were

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What do Halifax potholes and workplace investigation problems have in common?

I have been “away” for the last number of years, and here I am, back in Halifax, with my own workplace investigation practice. My pleasure at being home has been tempered by the potholes populating Halifax streets. As I was bobbing and weaving down roads leading toward and away from everywhere, I started thinking about

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Making justice more accessible – the changing face of employment law litigation

Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin is well known for her outspoken views about access to justice.  Chief Justice McLachlin has for many years written and spoken about the unaffordability of our legal system. She has been critical of our system, noting that trials have become the norm and that delay is rampant, making it impossible for

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