Labour & Employment

Cannabis Legalization and Impacts in the Workplace
January 10, 2019

The legalization of recreational cannabis brings with it a multitude of issues for employers to address. An experienced labour and employment lawyer provides a fascinating review of the legal status of cannabis in Canada from its criminalization early in the last century, to the introduction of medical cannabis in 2001, to the recent legalization of recreational cannabis under the federal Cannabis Act. The provincial framework for regulating retail cannabis sales in Manitoba is also briefly discussed.

Key issues are explored from an employment perspective particularly with respect to the need for workplace policies that address the use of recreational cannabis both on and off-duty, fitness for work, impairment and the designation of safety sensitive positions. A refresher is provided on medical cannabis and relevant employer considerations such as the duty to accommodate and health benefits plan coverage.

If you are an employer or you provide legal advice to employers, this session is not to be missed.

Presenter: Tracey L. Epp, Pitblado LLP

CPD hours: 1.5 | EPPM hours: 0 | Price: $65.00 + GST = $68.25

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace in the #MeToo Era: What You Need to Know
October 24, 2019

The #MeToo movement sparked a public conversation that continues to make headlines around the world. It created a safer space for victims to come forward and share their experiences of sexual harassment and sexual assault, and led many people in positions of power to re-examine past behaviour. Given the spotlight placed on workplace incidents, it is incumbent upon employers to revisit their policies and procedures on sexual harassment and violence, and consider whether their office culture encourages employees to come forward with their experiences and concerns.

Regardless of your practice area, your clients may turn to you for urgent advice when allegations of sexual harassment surface unexpectedly within their workplaces. As an employer, you have a duty to ensure you foster a respectful workplace culture and are prepared to address issues when they arise. We’ve assembled an expert panel to provide guidance on these and many other issues, including:

  • What constitutes sexual harassment and applicable provincial and federal legislation;
  • Workplace policies and how to enforce them;
  • Workplace investigations: when to conduct one internally and when to hire an external investigator;
  • What to do (or not do) in the initial days following a complaint being made or a concern coming to light, from the perspectives of counsel for the complainant, the respondent and the employer;
  • Steps to take when a complaint or investigation is made public on social media;
  • Professional responsibilities under the Code of Professional Conduct;
  • Best practices for building a healthy workplace culture;
  • How the Law Society’s Equity Officer can help.

Presenters:
Christine Thomlinson, Rubin Thomlinson LLP (Toronto, ON)
Garth Smorang, Q.C., Myers LLP
Tracey L. Epp, Pitblado LLP
Alissa Schacter, Equity Officer and Policy Counsel, The Law Society of Manitoba

CPD hours: 3 | EPPM hours: 3 | Price: $95.00 + GST = $99.75
**EPPM**