United States: Labor Board Recalls Its Previous Email Message: Employees Now Have Protected Right To Use Company Email System For Union Organizing

On December 11, 2014, the National Labor Relations Board reversed course on the question of whether employees may use a company’s email system for union organizing and similar communications. Just seven years ago, the Labor Board held that employers who prohibited personal use of a company email system could also prohibit use of that system for union organizing or similar purposes. Now, even if personal use is prohibited, the Labor Board has decreed that […]

By | February 11th, 2015 ||

Canada: OHSA Charges Dismissed: Not Appropriate For MOL To Charge Under "General Duty" Clause Where Specific Regulation Addressed Safety Issue

In dismissing Occupational Health and Safety Act charges against an employer arising out of a fatality, an Ontario court has held that it is not appropriate for the Ministry of Labour to charge under the “general duty clause” found in s. 25(2)(h) of the OHSA to “extend requirements beyond those specifically outlined in” the regulations under the OHSA.

In the case at hand, a worker had been welding a large steel product, approximately 6.5 feet […]

By | February 11th, 2015 ||

Canada: Taryn Mackie Contributes To Article In BC Business Magazine

Partner Taryn Mackie, along with Chris Gouglas, senior corporate counsel at Best Buy Canada, provided advice on the Dos and Don’ts of using social media in the workplace. The article, “Like This. Don’t Follow There.” can be found in the February 2015 edition of BC Business Magazine. Authored by Felicity Stone, the article addresses employees’ online responsibilities, establishing guidelines for online forums, and the use of social media in the hiring process, and provides […]

By | February 11th, 2015 ||