PM41261516
COVID vaccination policy:
a Canadian comparative analysis PG.4
How past decisions on workplace
policies could influence the legality of
mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations
A BRITISH Columbia tribunal has overturned an
award of termination pay to a worker who was
fired after sexually harassing a colleague.
The worker was employed with national com-
pany at a location in B.C. He was hired in February
2015.
In late 2017, the employer held a three-day train-
ing session in the U.S. that was open to employ-
ees from multiple locations. During the training,
the worker met up with a female colleague who
worked at a different Canadian office with whom
he sometimes collaborated. They knew each other
through work, but since they were located in dif
-
ferent provinces, it was the first time they had met
in person.
After the first day of training, the employer
hosted a dinner, after which about 15 employees
went out socially for drinks. Most of the employees
consumed a large amount of alcohol at the gather
-
ing. At the end of the evening, the worker and his
female colleague took a taxi back to the hotel, with
a third employee — who didn't drink alcohol and
therefore wasn't intoxicated — sharing the taxi and
MEDICAL EVIDENCE indicating that two
Ontario firefighters were in good health for
their age wasn't enough to exclude them from
mandatory retirement at age 60, the Ontario
Human Rights Tribunal has ruled.
The town of Tecumseh, Ont., operates its
own fire rescue service that is staffed mainly
by volunteer firefighters, with the exception of
the chief, deputy chief, fire prevention officer,
and an administrative position. Volunteer fire
-
fighters are paid for their work and are only
called volunteer to differentiate them from
full-time firefighters. The town pays them an
hourly rate for fire calls and attending train-
ing.
Tecumseh's volunteer firefighters had a col-
lective agreement with the town that required
them to retire at the end of the year in which
September 22, 2021
An offer that can be refused PG.3
Ontario company's severance package
of 11.5 months' pay and benefits not
reasonable for worker with 16-month
notice entitlement: court
COLLEAGUE on page 7 »
CREDIT:
BLUECINEMA
iSTOCK
DOCTORS on page 6 »
with Brian Johnston
Intoxication not an excuse
for sexual harassment of colleague
B.C. tribunal overturns decision finding worker's
drunken attempt to kiss colleague deserved dismissal
Ask an Expert PG. 2
Asking a job candidate
about accommodation
Ontario firefighters' mandatory
retirement challenge doused by tribunal
Two firefighters underwent medical testing and proved to be in good health,
but age was still considered best indicator of cardiac risk
BY JEFFREY R. SMITH
BY JEFFREY R. SMITH
