PM41261516
The COVID-19 layoff:
statutory and common law risks PG.4
The legal framework around
temporary layoffs has changed
during the pandemic
BY JEFFREY R. SMITH
AN ONTARIO employee who proposed a consult-
ing arrangement after his role with the company
changed was not constructively dismissed from
his employment contract that anticipated such a
change, a court has ruled.
George Carras founded RealNet, a real estate in-
formation services company, in 1995. He ran the
company until 2014, when he sold it to Altus Group
Limited. Although Carras intended to leave RealNet
once the sale was completed, Altus convinced him to
stay on as president of RealNet during the transition.
Carras agreed to a three-year employment agree-
ment — beginning on the date that the sale of
RealNet closed — that stated he would continue to
manage the business as its president during the first
year.
For the last two years, the agreement stated that
"the company is amenable to having discussions
with you about redefining your ongoing role and
accountabilities with the company and, if mutual
agreement is reached, amending the terms of this
Remorse doesn't fix forgery
by investment advisor
Forging client's signature went against trust and client consent that are
'cornerstones' of financial industry; Dismissal warranted despite remorse
BY JEFFREY R. SMITH
A BRITISH Columbia investment advisor who
forged a client's signature was not wrongfully
dismissed by his firm, despite the fact that
he believed he was acting in his client's best
interests, according to the B.C. Supreme Court.
Mo Movassaghi, 42, was a certified invest-
ment consultant licensed to sell mutual funds
and insurance products. In July 2016, he de-
cided to leave the financial services firm with
whom he was working to join Harbourfront
Wealth Management, a small full-service fi-
nancial services firm based in Vancouver.
Movassaghi had 153 clients and Harbour-
front offered him shares in the company in-
stead of a lump sum of money for his book
July 15, 2020
Keeping payroll on course during crisis PG.3
Staffing changes and government relief
measures add to payroll management
challenges during pandemic
INTENTION on page 6 »
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EMPLOYMENT on page 7 »
with Leah Schatz
Ask an Expert PG. 2
Employee health and safety
concerns after COVID-19
Shift to consultant role
not constructive dismissal
Employment agreement anticipated change in role and
Ontario employee proposed new arrangement himself
