Navigating Employment Liability Claims for Business Protection
Explore employer risks, termination protocols, and effective risk controls in Employment Liability Claims with Patricia Forte, B.A., LLB. Learn about legislation, common law, and termination packages to safeguard your business and mitigate legal liabilities. Discover practical strategies for communicating terminations and protecting your business from potential disputes.
Navigating Employment Liability Claims for Business Protection
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Presentation Transcript
Employment Liability: Claims & How to Protect Your Business Patricia Forte, B.A., LLB.
AGENDA • Employer Risks • Termination • Risk Controls
TERMINATION • Employer right to terminate • Employment law vs. Labour law • Provincial vs. Federal • Cause vs. Without Cause • Definition of “cause” • “Without Cause” notice or pay in lieu • A word about “lay off” • The ART of the termination meeting
TERMINATION • How Much? 1. Legislation 2. Contract 3. Common Law
TERMINATION • Structuring a fair package • Employment Standards Act = the floor • Working notice vs. pay in lieu of notice • Benefit continuation • Termination pay vs. severance pay • Employment contract • Common law notice = the walls & roof • Top up • “Bardal factors”
TERMINATION • The Package: • Salary – lump sum or salary continuance • Benefit continuation • Continuation of perqs (bonus, RRSP, car, memberships) • Stock option plan • Outplacement counselling • Letter of reference • Legal fees for ILE • Communicating the departure • Ongoing obligations (restrictive covenants) • Bad Faith / Damages “formerly known as Wallace” • Punitive Damages • Full and Final Release (confidentiality; no disparaging remarks; indemnity)
LAST WORDS… • Areas of employer liability are wide and vast • Create the “prenup” • Use best practices • Call sooner
