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Important Points to note in BC Wrongful Dismissal law Before terminating you (for any reason except for misconduct/just cause), your employer owes you either adequate notice or payment in lieu of that notice. Whether you received adequate notice or payment in lieu can be a legal question – please seek the assistance of an employment lawyer to help you understand your legal position. An assessment of the employment contract, employment policies, common law, legislation may be necessary to determine your entitlements Not receiving adequate notice or payment in lieu of … Read more

On September 13, 2021, by order of the Provincial Health Officer, proof of vaccination will be required to access some events, services, and businesses. Policies at the workplaces may change and require workers to show proof of vaccination. Some workplaces are prioritized for vaccination because of the nature of the workplace and their safety concerns. These workers have likely already been contacted to arrange vaccination. The federal government has imposed a mandatory vaccination policy for public servants and air passengers. The BC government has announced that workers in long-term care … Read more

When an employer terminates an employee, one of the things that they may be offered is a severance package. This type of agreement can help to provide short term financial security for an individual who has been terminated from their place of employment. In British Columbia, there are specific guidelines in place for what needs to be included in a severance agreement. If you are unsure about your rights with respect to severance, then keep reading. Why Do Companies Offer Severance Packages? In accordance with BC employment law, if your … Read more

In the age of developing technology and smartphones, it has become much easier to record secretly conversations in the workplace. Audio recordings have become a common occurrence in workplace disputes. Regardless of the intention behind the recordings, it is worth noting that there could be consequences if you are caught recording a conversation with your manager, colleague or even your employer. Here is what you need to know. Is It Legal To Record a Conversation in the Workplace? If you are participating in the conversation that you are recording, the … Read more

In BC, the Employment Standards Act regulates the minimum standards that employees are entitled to and that employers must adhere to. According to the definition under the BC Employment Standards Act, overtime occurs when an employee works more than the standard work hours – typically eight (8) hours per day or forty (40) hours per week. In the event that an employee works overtime, the employer has a duty to pay them accordingly. Can Your Employment Contract Terminate If You Refuse to Work Overtime? While the Employment Standards Act does … Read more

Under section 50 of the British Columbia Employment Standards Act, the law that protects workers in BC, all new parents are authorized to take time off work when having a baby or adopting a child. Before taking this time off, you must understand what type of leave you qualify to take, how long you’re allowed to be off from work and the benefits available to you while you’re on leave. Here’s what you need to know. Available Types of Maternity Leave in BC Under the BC Employment Standards Act, there … Read more

Unfortunately, certain events in your personal life could necessitate taking an extended leave of absence from your employment. According to the British Columbia Employment Standards Act, employees are permitted to take a leave of absence for specific reasons. Here’s what you need to know about your workplace rights regarding taking a leave of absence. Leave of Absence in British Columbia A leave of absence is time off work that an employee is entitled to according to the Employment Standards Act. Generally, a leave of absence must be approved by your … Read more

For many BC workers, and workers around the world, COVID-19 brought about many changes, including how you work. Nearly everyone had to adjust to this new normal and that meant that more and more individuals were required to work from home, or work “remotely”. What’s more, is that many employees have taken this opportunity to work from locations outside of British Columbia instead of working from their own residences. So, what are the implications for employment law in BC? Simply put, having employees work remotely does not change your employer’s … Read more

In a recent study published by the Mental Health Commission of Canda, it was found that one in five working individuals struggle with mental health concerns. Moreover, at least 500,000 individuals seek sick leave due to their mental health difficulties caused by stress. With so many Canadians suffering from extreme stress in the workplace, especially with COVID-19, many question their legal rights concerning stress and mental health leave. If you’re someone who suffers from high stress levels or any other mental health problems, we’ve compiled this article with the information … Read more

Understanding employment laws in BC can be tricky, especially when establishing whether you are an independent contractor or whether you are an employee. It’s becoming increasingly popular for individuals to take on work on a contract basis under their own small business as an independent contractor instead of being tied down to one company and one role. Independent contractors have the freedom to choose what work they want to do, who they want to work for and the duration of their contract. But what does this mean for employment laws? … Read more