Employment lawyer on federal mandate to return to the office

The federal government has announced that it expects employees to work in the office at least 3 days a week starting in September. Exceptions to this mandate include employees who worked remotely prior to the pandemic. The union representing federal employees plans to fight this mandate and has sta…

Sick note changes a step in the right direction

The Ontario government has proposed dismissing the need for sick notes. This decision aims to cut down on family physicians' paperwork. Under the new legislation, employers can still require other evidence from employees to prove they are ill when using sick days. What impact, if any, will this leg…

Ontario aims to ease paperwork burden for family doctors

The Ontario government has proposed dismissing the need for workplace sick notes. The goal of this legislation appears to be to lessen the burden placed on family physicians. Employers can still request other evidence from employees to prove they were ill when using sick days. Will this legislation…

Google fires employees over protests

Google recently let many employees go due to their participation in protests regarding supplying the Israeli government with technology. Can employers penalize employees for partaking in activities outside of the workplace? What rights, if any, do employees have to pursue compensation despite termi…

Disconnecting from the workplace for federal employees

As part of its new budget, the federal government has announced a "right to disconnect" legislation for federally regulated employees. The proposed legislation attempts to provide employees with more of a work and personal life distinction. Much like the provincial right to disconnect legislation, …

Federally regulated employees' right to disconnect

The federal government recently announced legislation pertaining to an employee's right to disconnect. While many provinces have already implemented disconnect legislation, the federal government's announcement has led to questions regarding employee rights. Will this legislation impact employment …

Quebec teacher fired after taking leave to be on 'Survivor'

A teacher in Quebec who wanted to partake in the show 'Survivor' found her replacement before leaving to participate. This leave was not approved and she was let go as a result. What rights do employees in the private sector have to taking leave? Are employers obligated to approve of a leave of abs…

Missing out on extra pay in a leap year

An extra day in February every four years leads to an increase in pay for hourly employees. But do salaried staff miss out? What are employers obligated to uphold for employees in a leap year? Lior Samfiru, an employment lawyer and National co-founding Partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP  joined 900 C…

Hiring practices and possible discrimination

A few government job postings in research departments have led to questions regarding hiring processes and if they can be discriminatory. Employers in both companies have explicitly restricted certain demographics from applying and expressed a desire to employ individuals in certain minority groups…

Uber drivers Valentine's Day strike

Uber drivers proposed a strike on Valentine's Day to protest very low wages. What rights do Uber drivers, and other ride-share workers, have? Do ride-share companies have any obligations to their drivers regarding wages and benefits? Lior Samfiru, an employment lawyer and National co-founding Part…