Hi, How Can We Help You?

Blog Posts

soni blog dependent contractor

Economically ‘dependent contractors’ in Ontario entitled to reasonable notice period

The growing gig economy in Canada was once limited to more temporary arrangements, such as ride-sharing and informal assignments with freelancers. However, the lure of flexible employment has attracted employers and workers from all fields. Today, it is not uncommon for chief executives too to be in a ‘consulting’ role. And you can hardly miss the growth of platforms such as Fiverr and Upwork. So prevalent has freelancing become in Canada that you can find virtually any talent, skill and […]

Read More
soni blog travel allowance

Does a business have to reimburse all expenses? Travel allowance explained

Do you, an employer, have to pay for your employee’s late night soirée while he or she is away on work for you? If that was the case, hotel minibars would be a lot emptier after a night of stay than they are currently.   So, do you have to reimburse your employees with all travelling expenses? The short answer – no.   Most often a company’s policy about reimbursing out-of-pocket expenses incurred by an employee in the course of […]

Read More
soni blog maternity and parental leave pay and benefits

How much do you get paid during maternity leave?

Canada has one of the strongest maternity/parental leave and benefits systems in the world. Certainly, it’s a lot better than our American neighbours to the south. The Employment Standards Act 2000 guarantees eligible birth parents protected time off work after the birth or adoption of their child. That said, parents need to plan maternity and parental in Ontario leave wisely. How much the spouse on leave will earn, what benefits you are entitled to, whether your work health insurance will […]

Read More
soni blog nepotism in the workplace speech small

Is nepotism in the workplace illegal?

Favouritism and nepotism can sap the morale of a workforce. It gives the impression that not everybody plays by the same rules. However, the nature of human interaction and interpersonal relationships can make it difficult for employers to identify and address nepotism and favouritism. At what point does praising and rewarding a high performing employee become favouritism? When is hiring a family member into the organization ‘preferential’? Is there anything employers can do to reduce nepotism and favouritism in the […]

Read More
soni blog employee health benefits in ontario speeech bubble

Employee health benefits in Ontario explained

Health benefits were once an almost assured part of working full time in Canada. In recent years, however, fewer and fewer employers offer health benefits to their employees. Many cite the need to reduce staffing costs and keep operational costs low. Especially with the rise of part-time employment, contractual positions, consulting roles and the ‘gig economy’, employees too have stopped expecting health benefits as a given. For so many millennials and fresh graduates, health benefits are merely a ‘perk’ of […]

Read More
soni blog vacation day

Vacation Pay Ontario: Confusing vacation days and leave explained (hint: it’s mostly unpaid)

In This Article Vacation Pay Calculator Accrued Vacation Days Calculator Vacation Pay for Union Workers Types of Employment Leave Frequently Asked Questions When Do You Get Vacation Pay in Ontario? Can an Employer Refuse Vacation Time in Ontario? Is Your Boss Not Approving Your Vacation? Can You be Forced to Take a Vacation Day? Vacation Entitlement: Vacation Time and Vacation Pay Ontario (how they are different) Every employee in Ontario, whether part time or full time, is entitled to a […]

Read More
soni blog promotion variation

Passed over for a promotion? These reasons are illegal

Been passed over for promotion? Seeing your colleagues get promoted while you’ve been left behind will be demoralizing for anyone. Employers may come up with reasons such as ‘insufficient interpersonal skills’, ‘lacking vision’, ‘insufficient performance’, or ‘creating a poisonous work environment’ to justify overlooking you for promotion. From the point of view of the employee, there can be no greater injustice. However, an employer may have valid reasons for skipping someone for promotion. In this article we are looking at […]

Read More
soni law pay stub

Your Pay Stub Explained

Who doesn’t wait for their ‘pay stub’ or ‘pay slip’. What was once a printed sheet of paper has become electronic for many, but the significance and importance of the pay stub cannot be understated. There are laws not just against not paying employees, there are laws about recording how much is paid too. The pay stub is a crucial employment right for all workers. It empowers you, the employee, making sure you understand exactly how much you are earning. […]

Read More
sonilawemployeemisconduct

Demystifying ‘employee misconduct’

The trouble with trying to explain ‘employee misconduct’ is simple: few people actually understand what misconduct is. Is an inability to complete all your work during the day misconduct? Is sending poorly vetted contracts misconduct? Is being verbally abusive to your colleagues misconduct? Is it misconduct if someone hurls abuse or hits a co-worker? In common parlance, yes, they are all misconduct. But they are all significantly different in terms of seriousness of misconduct. Also, since people gauge the seriousness […]

Read More
soni blog long term disability termination

Can an Employee Receiving Long Term Disability Benefits be Fired?

This article covers one of the most sensitive subjects in employment. Terminating an employee receiving long term disability benefits is a very delicate topic. It is unfair for the employee if their employer shows apathy; for an employer insurance payments can amount to hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars per month. Let’s break down some realities of long term disability in Ontario from the point of view of employers and employees: The employee needs time to recuperate and recover He […]

Read More