Updates from Consult Carswell
Late-Night in B.C.
In May or June, British Columbia is planning to hold public reviews about the definition of “late-night” hours — 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. — in health and safety legislation. Employees who work late-night hours are given extra protection due to the increased risk of violence. A proposal has been made to change the starting time to 11 p.m.
Termination policies
In the absence of a policy statement, terminated employees may claim they were unaware their conduct was unacceptable. While “ignorance of the law is no excuse,” this does not necessarily hold true in dismissal cases. Courts and arbitrators have been known to rule against a decision to terminate an employee because she was not properly informed about a rule, work standard or policy.
Student summer jobs
Funding for summer jobs for students working for not-for-profit, public sector and small private sector employers is available under the “Canada Summer Jobs” program. The Government of Ontario is offering a $2-per-hour hiring incentive for employers hiring students. They must be 15 to 30 years old and returning to school in the fall.
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