The Rudner Law Podcast

Stuart is joined by Yashar Daf & Kent Peel to discuss AI in the workplace fears and concerns. Guests: Kent Peel Law Professor Seneca Polytechnic https://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/ Yashar Daf Co-Founder and CEO Kolabrya AI https://www.kolabrya.com 

Brittany Taylor chats with Nicole Stibbe about her work at Soulwork Alliance, and how to tell whether your employee disengagement is really a result of a larger workplace culture issue - plus, where to start to address it! 

Stuart Rudner is joined by DEI consultant and corporate speaker Risha Grant for a discussion on our own unconscious bias and how we can work through that to create safer spaces, where everyone feels respected and included - especially at work!

Originally presented on May 10th 2023 An overview of dismissals - with cause, without cause, and constructive - so you can understand your rights and adopt a strategic approach. Topics include: - Why are most termination clauses in employment contracts not worth the paper they are printed on? - When can you "fire" someone for just cause? - Is severance really a month of salary per year of service? - Are you entitled to bonuses even after dismissal? Dismissals remain the most misunderstood area of HR Law, and yet it is also the most dangerous. Getting it wrong can expose an organization to substantial liability and can cause someone to lose out on tens of thousands of dollars. Despite that, most people and organizations don't get proper advice, choosing to act before they understand their rights and obligations and costing themselves a lot by doing so. We will explain how to assess severance obligations and post-termination entitlements, how to minimize termination costs, when just cause for dismissal exists, and how you can dismiss someone without meaning to by changing the terms of their employment. You will find out why we say that although the threshold is high, "just cause is not a lost cause". Lastly, attendees will learn why we say that the majority of termination clauses in Ontario are unenforceable, and how to ensure that you can rely on yours. www.rudnerlaw.ca

This update, which was supposed to be Stuart's latest rant, focuses on performance improvement plans and why employers shouldn't use them in bad faith, just to build a file for dismissal or cut compensation - these are recipes for liability.

Stuart Rudner is joined by Cameron Atlas, a talented musician, fantastic speaker and highly sought-after coach, for an insightful discussion on performance and motivation.

In this update, Stuart talks about why an otherwise valid employment contract may not be valid if the employee's duties and responsibilities have changed - even if their title remains the same.

Stuart Rudner is joined by Mark Canes, president and CEO of Blue Link, for a discussion on cybersecurity issues among employees - especially when employees are working in remote and hybrid models.

In this update, Stuart talks about frustration of contract - and to be clear, that doesn’t mean someone is frustrated. Frustration of a contract occurs at law when the circumstances change and it becomes impossible to fulfill.

Stuart Rudner is joined by Carlos Cadogan and Shawnee Love for a conversation about the modern workplace and how people approach conflict, whether it be microaggressions, offensive jokes, or harassment claims, and what we can do to not only navigate this kind of toxicity, but make positive change away from toxicity in the workplace.

It might be the start of a new year, but several employers are still relying on the modern-day clock for evaluating productivity. Nadia joined Ottawa Now with Kristy Cameron to talk about time theft. Originally aired January 30th 2023. All rights belong to CFRA Ottawa, iHeart Radio and Bell Media.

How can employers navigate downsizing and layoffs with low or no risk? Stuart is joined by Frank Newman and Brian Epstein of Newman HR. They're going to be talking you through downsizing and layoffs and discussing how to navigate these situations safely as an employer to limit your risk.

Nadia talks about using technology to conduct virtual dismissals - like using Zoom to fire a worker who is remote, hybrid, or even on leave.

Stuart and the Rudner Law Team join together for a look at popular Christmas movies and how some of them are HR nightmares.

Stuart Rudner and Brittany Taylor join forces to bring you an employment law legislative update. From Bill 27 to Bill 88 and beyond, this is what employers and employees need to be mindful of now and in the coming months.

Remember that episode of Friends where Ross tries to move a couch up the stairs, and ends up screaming "pivot, pivot, pivot!" at Chandler and Rachel? That's become a frequently quoted scene. The HR world has become a big supporter of pivoting, and in this video, Nadia talks about how employers can pivot through changes, like the pandemic, without risking constructive dismissal claims.

Stuart has heard people say they'd rather bankrupt a company than pay a plaintiff the severance they're seeking - but he usually takes this with a big grain of salt. However, in one Alberta case, this is exactly what the company tried to do.

Stuart Rudner with an employment law update of a different kind. He's here with his top tips for winning at mediation - a growing part of his practice. Watch Fire Away Season 2 Episode 1, Employment Mediation Tips & Strategies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU9zuMA2fic https://www.rudnerlaw.ca/alternative-dispute-resolution/

If you’re a remote worker, is it okay to lie to your employer about being at home when you’re really working from an exotic location? It might sound pretty harmless, especially if you get your work done. But Stuart has some concerns that you should be aware of before you make a big move.

Whether you’re an employee or an employer, you’ve probably encountered an accommodation situation. Perhaps as an employee, you need some form of accommodation but are unsure as to how to proceed. In this video, Nadia outlines the concept of “duty to accommodate” and talks about an employee’s responsibilities under this duty.