Many in the employer community were surprised by three recent cases (here, here and here) in which the Ontario courts struck down termination clauses in employment contracts for the failure to specifically reference the continuation of benefits through the statutory notice period under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (the “ESA“). The termination clauses in the employment contracts at issue in these cases appeared, on their face, to be valid and enforceable in light of the prevailing legal principles and existing case law.
Continue Reading Is Freedom of Contract Dead in Canadian Employment Law? Termination Clauses and Benefits Continuation Through the Notice Period
Termination of Employment
Reminder: Upcoming Changes to Ontario’s Employment Standards Act
Our regular readers will recall our previous posts (here and here) on upcoming changes to the Employment Standards Act. On February 20, 2015, some of these changes will be coming into effect:
- There will no longer be a limit on the amount that can be ordered for unpaid wages due to an
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Settlement Agreement Confidentiality Strongly Enforced: Former Globe and Mail Columnist Who Was Ordered to Repay $209,912 Now Required to Pay $30,000 in Legal Costs
Our regular readers will recall a previous blog about the case involving Jan Wong, a former Globe and Mail columnist, who violated the confidentiality clause in a settlement agreement that was intended to finally resolve her unjust dismissal grievance. Wong disclosed information about the settlement in her published book, Out of the Blue. The arbitrator found that Wong’s disclosure breached a specific provision of the settlement agreement, and ordered her to repay $209,912 to her former employer.
In an attempt to reverse the arbitrator’s decision, Wong applied to Divisional Court for judicial review. To put it mildly, she did not succeed. Moreover, she was ordered to pay $30,000 in legal costs to her former employer and union.
Continue Reading Settlement Agreement Confidentiality Strongly Enforced: Former Globe and Mail Columnist Who Was Ordered to Repay $209,912 Now Required to Pay $30,000 in Legal Costs