Latest news in Legal issues

What does a Trump presidency mean for U.S. employers?

What does a Trump presidency mean for U.S. employers?

After months, and even years, of buildup and anticipating, Republican nominee Donald Trump is the next president of the United States. Looking at his platform,…

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Employers’ ‘legitimate interest’ justifies privacy loss in leave after an abortion

The abortion pill Mifegymiso has been making headlines this month following uncertainty over whether provinces would be including the drug in their formularies. Earlier this week, the…

The pros and cons of including faith-based healing in benefits plans

Visits to Christian Science practitioners aren’t an expensive benefit for plans to cover. In the past three years, the University of Manitoba spent exactly zero…

Ex-Nortel workers seeking regulatory change to boost priority of disability benefits

Ex-Nortel workers seeking regulatory change to boost priority of disability benefits

While there has been plenty of attention on the affect of Nortel Networks Corp.’s bankruptcy on its pension plan members, the struggle by a group…

Union optimistic U.S. Steel agreement could lead to ‘good final deal’ for retirees

The union representing workers at U.S. Steel Canada Inc. is cautiously optimistic a proposed acquisition of the company by a U.S.-based holding company will lead…

  • By: Staff
  • September 22, 2016 May 5, 2021
  • 09:25
Judge rules against reinstating U.S. Steel Canada retiree benefits

Judge rules against reinstating U.S. Steel Canada retiree benefits

The United Steelworkers is decrying a decision by the Ontario Superior Court to deny its bid to reinstate retiree benefits at U.S. Steel Canada. The…

  • By: Staff
  • August 23, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 10:35
Ontario Teachers’ loses appeal of $1M wrongful dismissal ruling

Ontario Teachers’ loses appeal of $1M wrongful dismissal ruling

The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board has lost its appeal of a decision ordering it to pay more than $1 million to a former senior investment employee. The…

  • By: Jann Lee
  • August 18, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 09:22
Medical questions, regulations create confusion for medical pot coverage

Medical questions, regulations create confusion for medical pot coverage

It has been more than a year since Jonathan Zaid won the right to have his medical marijuana prescription covered under his group benefits plan,…

B.C. employer on the hook for $90K for miscommunicating LTD rules

B.C. employer on the hook for $90K for miscommunicating LTD rules

The trend away from defined benefit to defined contribution or hybrid pension plans has heightened the litigation risk for employers when it comes to the…

Cornwall retirees out of luck in battle over benefits

Cornwall retirees out of luck in battle over benefits

Despite contract language providing for post-retirement benefits, eight retirees of a Cornwall, Ont., manufacturing company are out of luck after an arbitrator ruled the company…

  • By: Glenn Kauth
  • August 4, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 08:00
How to avoid legal liability for benefits communications

How to avoid legal liability for benefits communications

If your job description includes responsibility for communicating pensions and benefits to fellow employees, then you’ll already know that with each new communication comes potential…

  • July 21, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 09:30
Employers cite productivity, morale gains among ROI from health programs

Employers cite productivity, morale gains among ROI from health programs

Two-thirds (66 per cent) of U.S. employers have experienced a return on investment on their efforts to boost employee health and performance, according to a…

U.S. proposes modernizing annual return forms for pensions and benefits plans

U.S. proposes modernizing annual return forms for pensions and benefits plans

The U.S. Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation are seeking public comments on proposed revisions to modernize and…

  • By: Staff
  • July 14, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 09:14
Report urges Canada to beef up IP protection for biologics

Report urges Canada to beef up IP protection for biologics

Intellectual property protection for biologic medicines in Canada falls far behind that in other countries, a new report from the Fraser Institute has found. Biologics’…

Employers warned of liability risk when hiring an intern

Employers warned of liability risk when hiring an intern

As young Canadians fan out across workplaces this summer to get experience as interns, employers would do well to take stock of the myriad of employment…

  • By: Jann Lee
  • July 11, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 09:22
Editorial: The merits of federal leadership

Editorial: The merits of federal leadership

During the 2015 federal election campaign, the NDP pushed hard for a federal minimum wage of $15 an hour. The proposal drew understandable criticism in…

  • By: Glenn Kauth
  • June 21, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 09:30
How to deal with workplace bullies

How to deal with workplace bullies

Workplace bullying was a problem Robert Laing thought he was ready for. In his 35 years of working in management, he had dealt with harassment…

How to avoid an age discrimination claim

How to avoid an age discrimination claim

The aging Canadian workforce is creating significant HR challenges for employers. What you can do to move older employees on without ending up in court…

The impact of technology on benefits fraud

The impact of technology on benefits fraud

Need to get reimbursed for your chiropractic appointment this morning? No problem: your healthcare provider can submit your claim electronically right after your visit. Or…