Highlights of issues covered in Alberta Labour Relations Board’s revised Information Bulletin 14 on Representation Votes, i.e., votes a union must win before it can be certified, issued on Jan. 9, 2012:

Timing of the vote
The voters’ list
Electioneering and scrutineering, i.e., appointment of individuals by each …

As in other provinces, New Brunswick OHS laws provides for the imposition of fines and other penalties on employers that commit safety violations. But now WorkSafeNB is looking into changing the laws so it can impose not just fines but demerits on …

Why are there suddenly so many pregnancy discrimination claims being filed by employees and job applicants? Insider looked at the cases and detected patterns of mistakes that employers are making, including these 10.
Click here for more about pregnancy …

Most employers have an Employment Manual or Handbook that sets out the organization’s policies and procedures. Although Manuals are useful for communicating the ground rules of employment and employee conduct, they can be hard to enforce–especially when the Manual provision isn’t incorporated directly into the …

The Ontario Human Rights Tribunal pooh-poohed the disability discrimination claim of a probationary nurse. The hospital concluded that because her attendance was so poor she wasn’t suitable for the position of relief nurse. The decision not to offer the gig had …

Whether your organization’s 2012 plans include hiring two employees or 2,000, it’s important to be in the know about recruiting practices. Here are 12 recruiting trends for 2012 to help you keep current.

QUESTION: I run a security guard agency. One of my employees just told me she’s pregnant. Her job is already dangerous. Being pregnant means she’s putting her baby at risk. Can I keep her from doing the job for her own safety?
ANSWER: This …

A few years ago, all of the provinces and territories changed their human rights laws to make it illegal for an employer to force employees to retire at age 65 (or any other pre-designated age, for that matter).
The Federal Loophole
I …

An employee who works with special needs children was fired after getting probation for sexually assaulting a 23-year-old woman. Even though the incident took place outside work, it was legitimate grounds for discipline. But, the arbitrator continued, the school board was wrong to conclude that …

Saskatchewan Moves Forward on Workers’ Comp Reform
The committee formed to review the province’s workers’ comp system issued its recommendations. Highlights:

Immediately increase maximum benefit from $55,000 to $59,000 and implement annual increases over 4 years
Require all employers and self–employed to register with WCB
Change assessment formula …

QUESTION: Can you fire an employee for missing too much work?
ANSWER: It depends. The rules are complicated but let”s see if I can simplify them for you.
Step 1: Determine If the Absence Is “Culpable”
Culpable absences include things like deliberately missing work when …

Human rights laws ban employers from discriminating on the basis of a disability. Drug addiction and alcoholism are regarded as a “disability” under the law. This is the primary reason drug and alcohol testing is so problematic for employers. Yet, sometimes testing is legal. Why?
When …

What key legal changes and trends are taking place in your province? Use the Insider Special Compliance Briefing report to find out. Available now: 
Nova Scotia
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Quebec
Saskatchewan

Canadian women are working, but whether they’re working their way up the corporate ladder is questionable. According to research compiled by nonprofit membership organization Catalyst, women comprised 47.3 percent of the labour force in 2010 and held 36.5 percent of management positions.