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Atlantic Employers’ Counsel – Winter 2016

THE EDITORS’ CORNER

Michelle Black and Sean Kelly

One day, the line between mental and physical disabilities may not be so pronounced, but, for now, distinctions are still drawn between Employee A with, for example, diabetes and Employee B with, for example, depression. Both employees are dealing with serious health conditions but Employee B’s condition can present additional challenges because it can be difficult to “see” and difficult to understand.

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MENTAL HEALTH AND THE DUTY TO ACCOMMODATE

Stephen Penney and Sean Kelly

Employers can face many challenges when dealing with employees who are struggling with a mental health issue. Illness and disability affecting employees can cause staffing/absenteeism challenges and morale problems with other employees. Barriers to managing the return to work process and re-integration into a productive workforce often arise.

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THE DUTY TO INQUIRE: THE PROBLEM WITH TURNING A BLIND EYE

Murray Murphy, QC, CHRP

You have heard this scenario before: An employee is constantly showing up late (or not showing up at all), being insubordinate or argumentative, or worse – completely unmanageable, so the employer then dismisses the employee. The employee then files a grievance or a human rights complaint stating that he or she suffers from a disability and the dismissal was discriminatory.

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THE SCOPE OF ACCOMMODATION OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES – WHAT ABOUT STRESS?

Josie Marks

There is growing understanding of the need to accommodate mental health issues in the workplace, not only due to human rights obligations but also to optimize employee productivity. However, the boundaries of employers’ obligations from a human rights perspective are not always clear. This article focuses on stress-related accommodation requests: is an employer obliged to accommodate an employee having difficulty coping with stress?

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DISCIPLINE AND MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE

Vanessa Paton

Disciplining employees who are suffering from mental illness can pose particular difficulty for employers. Although there is a duty to accommodate mental illness in the workplace in the same way as any other disability, misconduct related to a mental health issue is not immune from discipline. Employers are well advised to be aware of the relevant considerations, risks and obligations with respect to managing a disabled employee’s performance.

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Client Update – General Damage Cap Upheld By the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal

December 15, 2009

The Nova Scotia Court of Appeal has unanimously upheld the province’s legislative limits on general damage recovery for “minor injuries”. Today’s decision, authored by Chief Justice Michael MacDonald, completely affirms the January 2009 decision of…

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Client Update – New Planning Opportunities For ULCs

December 4, 2009

The Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) announced helpful administrative positions concerning the new rules under the Fifth Protocol to the Canada-US Income Tax Convention, 1980 which will come into effect on January 1, 2010. The CRA…

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Atlantic Construction Counsel – Fall 2009

November 26, 2009

IN THIS ISSUE Contractor Held Liable for Business Interruption: Heyes v. City of Vancouver, 2009 BCSC 651 When Can a Tendering Authority Walk Away if Bids are Too High? Crown Paving Ltd. v. Newfoundland &…

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Client Update – Nova Scotia Unlimited Companies: An Update

November 6, 2009

Withholding tax and other issues under the Fifth Protocol The Fifth Protocol to the Canada-US Tax Convention, 1980 introduced significant changes which may affect the use of most unlimited companies and other so-called ULCs. These…

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Atlantic Employers’ Counsel – Fall 2009

October 14, 2009

IN THIS ISSUE An Eye for an Eye: Alberta Court of Appeal Upholds Finding of Retaliation Liability as a Result of Generosity in Quebec Undue Hardship Established in Scent Case Parents of Twins Get Double…

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