Employment Contracts for Canadian Employees: Key Clauses and Pitfalls to Avoid

Ben Currie 
Duration: 60 Minutes
Webinar Id: 23429
Instructor: Ben Currie 

Price Details

Recorded Webinar
$190. One Attendee
$390. Unlimited Attendees

Unlimited Attendees: Any number of participants

Recorded Version: Unlimited viewing for 6 months (Access information will be emailed 24 hours after the completion of live webinar)

Overview:

Employment standards legislation (federally and provincially in Canada) set the minimum terms and conditions of employment that all employers must follow and cannot contract below

Employment contracts are imperative in Canada to set limits on employee entitlements. Otherwise, an employee can file a civil claim and pursue significant entitlements.

For example, without a valid termination clause in an employment contract, employees have recently successfully claimed up to 30 months of pay in lieu of notice. This liability is significant, especially when applied to a senior employee with significant total compensation.  

Why you should Attend:

Enforceable employment contracts are imperative for Canadian employers to control risk and manage the significant liability that employers can otherwise face, especially upon termination of employment. Employment contracts are read in favour of employees in Canada, so it is crucial that a knowledgeable employment lawyer draft the most important clauses, such as a termination clause, to manage risk. 

Any clause within an employment contract that appears to contract below minimum employment standards can void the termination clause, even if not relied upon in the circumstances. This creates considerable risk for employers. 

This webinar will highlight the key clauses within an employment contract and sources of liability for employers, along with best practices to avoid the most common errors that we see, which could result in significant liability for Canadian employers. 

Areas Covered in the Session:

  • Effect of an employment contract
  • Basic overview of what employment standards legislation is in Canada
  • Sources of liability for employers associated with poorly drafted employment contracts, including termination clauses
  • Best practices to avoid the common pitfalls by employers in drafting employment contracts

Who Will Benefit:

  • Employee Relations Specialists
  • Human Resource Managers
  • Human Resource Executives
  • Lawyers interested in learning more about Canadian employment law

Speaker Profile
Ben Currie is a Management-Side Labour and Employment Lawyer who works for Cox & Palmer, a full service law firm with 10 offices throughout Atlantic Canada. Ben is called to the bar in the provinces of Ontario, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. Ben practices labour and employment law with experience in all areas of workplace law. Ben regularly advises employers of all sizes on areas such as employee discipline, termination of employment, day-to-day workplace issues, contract drafting, and policy drafting. Ben also has a background in labour and employee relations prior to law and prioritizes practical advice for clients.

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