Canadian HR Reporter features Shannon Sproule from our firm in regard to the article “Ontario worker deemed employee or dependent contractor, gets 18 months’ reasonable notice”, dated December 2, 2024.  This article is based on a ruling by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in which a worker with 12 years of service was deemed...Continue Reading

Join Turnpenney Milne lawyers on January 29th, 2025 at 12:00 pm ET for a discussion of emerging trends and challenges in workplace investigations. Click here to register.  Continue Reading

In a recent decision of the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal (the “HRTO” or the “Tribunal”), Buckel v. St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, the Vice-Chair awarded the Applicant $15,000.00 after she was terminated for time theft – even though the Vice-Chair was satisfied that she did indeed commit time theft. The Applicant was employed by St. Joseph’s...Continue Reading

Join Turnpenney Milne lawyers on November 27th at 12:00 p.m. ET for a discussion on accommodation considerations in the context of workplace investigations involving parties and/or witnesses who are neurodivergent or experiencing mental health issues. Please click here, to register.Continue Reading

Turnpenney Milne TMLLP is thrilled to be recognized on the Globe and Mail’s Canada’s Best Law Firms 2025 list! This prestigious award is presented by The Globe and Mail and Statista, the leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. Canada’s Best Law Firms were selected based on recommendations made by almost 25,000 lawyers and clients...Continue Reading

Section 5(1) of the Ontario Human Rights Code (the “Code”) provides that “every person has a right to equal treatment with respect to employment without discrimination because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, record of offences, marital status, family status or disability.”...Continue Reading

In Ontario, employers have a statutory duty under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (the “OHSA”) to conduct an investigation into complaints and incidents of workplace harassment that is “appropriate in the circumstances”. If a complaint is related to any human rights ground(s) which are covered by the Ontario Human Rights Code (the “Code”), employers...Continue Reading

As the trend towards increased workplace investigations and retaining third party investigators continues, so does the need to consider issues of privilege and what is protected in the investigative process. The recent Alberta decision of Prosser v. Industrial Alliance Insurance, 2024 ABKB 87 shed light on this topic, examining how the purpose and use of...Continue Reading

Esi Codjoe of our firm is the Co-chair of the Annual Update on Human Rights – Administrative Law/Constitutional, Civil Liberties & Human Rights/Labour & Employment Law.  She will be speaking about Notable Human Rights Decisions and Developments at 9:35 am.  This conference will be taking place Wednesday, May 29, 2024 from 9:00 am to 4:30...Continue Reading

Procedural Fairness in Investigations: Marentette v Canada (AG) Workplace investigations, while necessary, can profoundly impact the work environment, work culture, and psychological well-being of those involved. When investigating workplace complaints, it is essential to follow a fair procedure. In legalese, this is referred to as “procedural fairness”. A recent Federal Court case, Marentette v Canada...Continue Reading

We sponsor the Julius Alexander Isaac Moot. Since its inception, the unilingual moot has focused on an area of law in which issues of equity and diversity arise, often incorporating elements of critical race theory into the problem. The Black Law Student Association of Canada administers the Julius Alexander Isaac Moot in collaboration with law...Continue Reading

Rachel Turnpenney of our firm will be speaking at Employment Law Masterclass 2024 on February 15, 2024.  Her session will be on “The Tort of Harassment: Mitigating Employers’ Civil Litigation Risk” at 1:25pm. The Employment Law Masterclass brings together labour and employment lawyers, and inhouse counsel for an update on all things employment law. This...Continue Reading

Attention Employers: AODA Compliance Reports Due December 31st All private and non-profit employers with 20 or more employees are required to file reports with the Ontario government, confirming their compliance with the requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”). Those reports are due December 31, 2023. Below is an overview of...Continue Reading

Bill 149: Working for Workers Four Act On November 15, 2023, the Ontario Government tabled Bill 149, which if passed, would make changes to Ontario’s Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”) to provide further protections to employees. The following are some of the key proposed changes for employers to note. Job Posting Requirements If passed, Bill...Continue Reading

Asha Rampersad of our firm will be speaking at Ontario Nurses’​ Association at the Birchmount Conferences Group Return To Work in a Healthcare Workplace Conference on November 22, 2023, 1:30pm to 3:00pm. Senior hospital leadership from across the country will be attending to gain practical insights and to discuss challenging issues facing employee return-to-work issues....Continue Reading

Ozlem Yucel will be presenting at Infonex Inc.’s “Preventing Discrimination, Harassment, Bullying & Violence in the Workplace” Virtual Conference on November 22, 2023 at 10:15am. Ozlem will be discussing supervisors’ duties, in particular, in preventing discrimination, harassment and violence in the workplace. This workshop is recommended for all supervisors as well as HR professionals. Click...Continue Reading

Esi Codjoe of our firm will be speaking at the CBA Administrative Law, and Labour and Employment Law Conference on Friday November 17, 2023 from 3:15 pm – 4:45 pm at Westin Ottawa, 11 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON. In this conference, labour and employment practitioners will have the opportunity to hear about the year’s...Continue Reading

Jeff Rochwerg of our firm will be speaking at the 2023 Employment Lawyers Association of Ontario’s TFK Conference – Workplace Investigations and For Cause Terminations Panel on November 9, 2023 from 8am to 4pm.  Jeff is scheduled to speak at 2:00pm. To register please click here.  Continue Reading

Black Physicians of Canada is hosting their inaugural conference to connect Black physicians and physicians-in-training across Canada and to establish a community while centering our wellness. Themes across the conference are advocacy, mentorship, leadership, education and wellness.  Esi Codjoe and Cereise Ross’s panel is with respect to Intersection Between Health, Law and Advocacy.  They will be...Continue Reading

With our topic “Leadership in Challenging Times: Unpacking Diversity, Anti-Racism, and Inclusion in Policing” – We will be sharing insights ranging from recruiting diverse talent in policing, promoting diversity in leadership through to dealing with public protests and the increased attention to diversity in the sector and discussing what leaders can do to support their...Continue Reading

We are excited to be together again in-person at the Mississauga Convention Centre! Shannon Sproule and Asha Rampersad will be speaking at this annual industry conference which is gathering Schedule 2 Employers from across Ontario to learn about current issues and new advancements in the fields of workers’ compensation, disability management, employee wellness, and workplace...Continue Reading

Ozlem Yucel presented to close to 1,000 people at the Human Resources Professionals Association on August 17, 2023. The program was called “Guide to Bullying and Harassment” and provided HR professionals with:  An understanding of what behaviours amount to harassment under the law; An overview of an HR professional’s role and legal obligations in mitigating...Continue Reading

Rachel Turnpenney will be speaking at the HRD Employment Law Masterclass Toronto 2023 on September 7, 2023 at 11:25 am. She’ll be speaking on employers’ legal obligations, and how they can support employees while still meeting the needs of the business.    The Employment Law Masterclass will give you the latest update on employment law legislation...Continue Reading

In the article “What are my responsibilities as an employer?” from the Business Development Bank of Canada, Esi Codjoe speaks about how any businesses need to improve their understanding of their obligations to employees. “Codjoe says you can ensure you’re doing everything required by consulting a lawyer who knows your jurisdiction. ‘Even if you’re already established,...Continue Reading

Esi Codjoe will be speaking at the Ontario Bar Association’s Annual Update on Human Rights on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at the Ontario Bar Association at 10:00 a.m. She’ll be speaking on Recent Human Rights Decisions and Developments. As always, the Annual Update on Human Rights will get you up to speed on the latest...Continue Reading

Ozlem Yucel is presenting at Lancaster House’s Toronto Human Rights and Accommodation Conference on April 18, 2023. She will discuss key issues related to workplace harassment, discrimination, and poisoned work environments. For more information and to register, click here.Continue Reading

When Catherine and Rachel founded Turnpenney Milne LLP 13 years ago, they sought to make the legal profession more inclusive for women and build a workplace where all team members thrive. Today, we are proud to say that we now have 15 female professionals at the firm, many of whom are reflected in our leadership....Continue Reading

On October 29, 2018, days after releasing the Pay Equity Consultations What We Heard Report, the Federal Government proposed pay equity legislation for federally regulated workplaces. Bill C-86, the Budget Implementation Act, 2018, No. 2 (“Bill C-86”) will enact the Pay Equity Act, if passed (the “PEA” or the “Act”), which will apply to all...Continue Reading