In the News

Toronto employment lawyers from Monkhouse Law are frequently sought after by reporters, editors, and TV and radio producers for insight and commentary on important and breaking news on employment law in Ontario, wrongful dismissal law, disability insurance law, employment insurance law, and human rights in the workplace law.

We represent employees in class action lawsuits, acting against companies that are finding new and creative ways to circumvent existing employment laws at the expense of employees.

Monkhouse Law lawyers are specifically sought after for media comments because of our strong court track record. We believe that the public, including our clients, benefit from knowing more about employment laws, human rights laws, and disability laws. For this reason, we make sure to promptly answer press inquiries.
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2024 News & Publications

June 11, 2024
Advisor.ca
Court won’t release advisor from email agreement to buy a book
Ontario’s top court has upheld a ruling ordering a portfolio manager to pay $90,000 to a former colleague to purchase his book of business despite there being no formal written, signed contract. Andrew Monkhouse commented that he’s seeing more cases arising from disputes over the ownership of books of business — a realm that used to “historically be a bit of a handshake deal.”

May 10, 2024
Law360 Canada
Federal Court affirms Employment Insurance Commission’s decision to disentitle EI benefits

Monkhouse Law’s Emily Kim comments on a Federal Court judicial review decision assessing the reasonableness of an EI denial.

May 3, 2024
Law360 Canada
Court of Appeal upholds standard: Establishing link between employment, workplace injuries
Monkhouse Law’s Taiwo Onabolu commented on the 2024 New Brunswick Court of Appeal decision in Bulger that reiterated that the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Tribunal must interpret and weigh medical evidence. The court ordered a new hearing.

April 11, 2024
Toronto Star
Documents shed light on probe into TTC CEO Rick Leary
Andrew Monkhouse commented to the Toronto Star on the probe into TTC CEO Rick Leary.

April 1, 2024
SHRM
Ontario Workplaces Navigate Termination and Severance Pay Obligations
Andrew Monkhouse commented on best practices on termination of employees in Ontario.

March 21, 2024
CBC News
This layoff could have been an email. Is there a good way to lose your job as a remote worker?
Andrew Monkhouse spoke with CBC News regarding Bell’s decision to lay off hundreds of employees in group virtual meetings.

February 16, 2024
CBC News
People commonly lose their job on maternity or parental leave. Critics say EI needs an overhaul
Andrew Monkhouse was quoted on CBC News about what happens with EI if you lose your job on maternity or parental leave: “It’s a persistent problem in Canada. The problem is how the system is structured, with maternity leave being part of EI.”

February 9, 2024
Toronto Star
What to do if you’re suddenly laid off
Andrew Monkhouse was quoted in the Toronto Star about what to do if you’re suddenly laid off. On Thursday, Bell Canada Enterprises (BCE Inc.) announced it is slashing 4,800 jobs.

February 5, 2024
SHRM
Canada: Employee Rights and Employer Obligations on Breaks in Ontario
Andrew Monkhouse was quoted in SHRM on employee rights and employer obligations on breaks in Ontario.

February 5, 2024
SHRM
Canadian Hours-of-Work Requirements Vary in the Federal and Private Sectors
Andrew Monkhouse spoke to SHRM about hours of work requirements and how they vary in the federal and private sectors. Each province has its own legislation regarding the maximum number of hours employees can work before overtime and comp time kick in.

February 5, 2024
Law360 Canada
Alberta Court Affirms Crucial Role Of Clarity In Employer Policies, Employee Resignation
Monkhouse Law’s Dharshani Arumugam’s comment on a recent Court of King’s Bench of Alberta decision where the court found that an employee was wrongfully dismissed. They rejected the employer’s arguments that the employee would have resigned or abandoned his job following a 3 day absence.

2023 News & Publications

October 31, 2023
Benefits Canada
Canada Labour Code amendments will exempt some employees from hours-of-work requirements
Andrew Monkhouse was quoted about the Canada Labour Code will exempt some employees from the legislation’s hours-of-work requirements.

October 4, 2023
Law360 Canada
Class Action Upheld as Preferred Procedure in Pension Plan Dispute Resolution

Monkhouse Law’s Dharshani Arumugam commented on the case of Brewers Retail Inc. v. Campbell 2023 ONCA 534, where the Ontario Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario, concluding that a class action is the preferred procedure for resolving a pension plan dispute.

September 19, 2023
LexisNexis Canada

Canadian Forms & Precedents – Commercial Transactions – Employment
Andrew Monkhouse is an author of the newly published LexisNexis book for lawyers, “Canadian Forms & Precedents – Commercial Transactions – Employment”.

August 17, 2023
ConstructConnect
Legal Notes: Termination clauses versus mitigation obligations for independent contractors
Andrew Monkhouse was quoted in Construct Connect about a recent Ontario Court of Appeal case illustrates the importance of clarity when it comes to understanding contract mitigation obligations should the contract be terminated.

May 15, 2023
Law360 Canada
Ontario Court of Appeal dismisses stay of proceedings motion due to lack of fresh consideration
Monkhouse Law’s Alisa Mirkovic published a comment in Law360 Canada about a recent Ontario Court of Appeal case which upheld the motion judge’s decision to dismiss a stay of proceedings motion on the basis that the arbitration clause was not supported by fresh consideration

February 13, 2023
OHS Canada
Confined spaces demand robust legislation from regulators, due diligence from employers
Monkhouse Law’s Walter Yoo commented about Ontario’s regulations that protect workers working in small spaces after a 54-year-old man was trapped underground and drowned while working on a ruptured pipe in Mississauga, Ont.

February 8, 2023
Law360 Canada
COVID-19-Related Employment Law Decision Explores Doctrine of Frustration
Monkhouse Law published a comment in Law360 Canada about the doctrine of frustration case in BC. This case shows that the defence of frustration due to COVID-19 will not mitigate the liability for severance pay to employees.

January 13, 2023
The Lawyer’s Daily
Ontario Superior Court Makes Statement on Calculating Reasonable Notice

Monkhouse Law’s Marissa Hum’s comments were published in The Lawyer’s Daily on the Chin v. Beauty Express Canada Inc. case.

2022 News & Publications

September 27, 2022
Report on Business
Monkhouse Law Employment Lawyers – Toronto Law Firm Keeps Growing
Monkhouse Law Employment Lawyers has made the list of top growing companies in Canada for the third time. Monkhouse is ranked 401st out of 430 diverse companies in the 2022 Report on Business Magazine list of Canada’s Top Growing Companies which was released on September 23, 2022.

June 27, 2022
Toronto Star
Depp v. Heard script might have ended differently in Ontario
Andrew Monkhouse published an op-ed in the Toronto Star. The case of Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard might have ended very differently had it played out on the Ontario stage.

March 7, 2022

The Globe and Mail
Why you can – and should – job-hunt while pregnant

Alia Besharat spoke to The Globe and Mail about why you can – and should – job-hunt while pregnant.

January 20, 2022
Global News
As unvaccinated workers sue for wrongful dismissal, Ottawa working on shielding employers
Andrew Monkhouse spoke to Global News about the number of lawsuits from fired unvaccinated workers and how the federal government’s protections for employers are nowhere to be seen.

January 13, 2022
The Globe and Mail
Scores of unvaccinated workers are filing wrongful dismissal claims against employers, lawyers say
Andrew Monkhouse spoke to The Globe and Mail about wrongful dismissal claims for unvaccinated workers. Andrew said that he believes unvaccinated employees terminated with cause have an especially good argument if the employee can prove their unvaccinated status did not jeopardize the health and safety of a workplace.

January 10, 2022
Toronto Star
Burned out by COVID? How to take a leave from work without going broke
Andrew Monkhouse discussed short term and long term disability coverage. Andrew mentioned that “A lot of people who are burned out don’t necessarily know their options, and it’s better to know about those options sooner rather than later.”

2021 News & Publications

November 25, 2021
Andrew Monkhouse was quoted in CTV News about questions employees and employers have regarding holiday parties and COVID-19.

 

November 5, 2021
Global News
COVID-19: Can doctors refuse unvaccinated patients? Reports suggest this is already happening
Andrew Monkhouse was quoted in Global News regarding COVID-19: Can doctors refuse unvaccinated patients?

 

Monkhouse Law’s Walter Yoo was quoted in CBC regarding the Ontario government’s plan to introduce legislation to prohibit employers from having their employees sign non-compete agreements.

 

October 18, 2021
CTV News Northern Ontario
CTV News Northern Ontario covered Monkhouse Law’s proposed $10 million class action lawsuit against Workforce and SOS (Sudbury) staffing agencies for unpaid training.

 

September 7, 2021
Financial Post
Taking their shots: Mandatory vaccine debate adds dose of tension to workplace reopenings
Andrew Monkhouse was quoted in the Financial Post regarding the mandatory vaccine debate in the workplace: “Eventually, every company is going to have to deal with it depending on when they’re going back to work.”

 

Andrew Monkhouse was quoted in the Financial Post regarding mandatory vaccines in the workplace and the consequences for employees who refuse to comply.

 

We were quoted in the Globe and Mail in the Career Advice section “Nine to Five”. An Ontario retail worker asked, “Am I still entitled to an EI top-up if I switch jobs?” Read our advice regarding employment insurance.

July 21, 2021
Yahoo News
Should COVID-19 vaccines be mandatory in Canada? What about a vaccine passport? Health, legal experts weigh in
Andrew Monkhouse spoke to Yahoo Canada about questions around possible proof of vaccination requirements by employers. Read Andrew’s comments here.June 14, 2021
Global News
Some U.S. airlines are mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for hires. Should Canada follow?
Andrew Monkhouse was quoted in Global News about employers mandating employees be fully vaccinated.

 

May 2, 2021

The Globe and Mail
How can I make my boss pay me for overtime work?
Monkhouse Law’s Alia Besharat was recently quoted in the Globe and Mail regarding employees rights when it comes to working overtime.

April 29, 2021

Law Times
COVID-related temporary layoff is constructive dismissal, says Ontario Superior Court ruling
Andrew Monkhouse was quoted in the Law Times regarding the Ontario Superior Court ruling that temporarily laid-off employees still have access to common law constructive dismissal remedies, despite the 2020 Infectious Disease Emergency Leave Regulation passed by the Ontario Government in 2020.

March 22, 2021
Law Times
Uber’s pitch to provinces about eluding Employment Standards Act, say lawyers
Alexandra Monkhouse was quoted in the Law Times regarding Uber’s Flexible Work+ proposal. Uber proposes to offer more benefits to its drivers, but is asking for an amendment so that it is not found to be the employer under provincial legislation.

March 4, 2021
CBC News
Canadian banks, insurance firms owe $1.2B in employee vacation pay, class actions allege
Vacation pay class actions were covered in this article by CBC News. Monkhouse Law is acting in actions against Allstate, BMO, RBC Insurance, and RBC Life for unpaid vacation and statutory holiday pay on variable compensation.

2020 News & Publications

December 15, 2020
Maclean’s
The workplace of the future will probably remain under surveillance
Andrew Monkhouse was quoted about the increased use of technology to monitor workers: “You’re going to get a lot of pushback from employees. You have to roll it out correctly or you’re really going to hurt morale.”

December 8, 2020
Global News

Your employer can’t force you to get vaccinated, but experts warn of challenges ahead
Can an employer require you to get vaccinated in order to return to work? Or can an employer terminate an employee because they don’t want to take a vaccination? Andrew Monkhouse talked to Global News about the challenge of this.

November 30, 2020
Truck News
Trucking HR to fleets: Prepare for Bill C-65
Monkhouse Law’s Miguel Mangalindan commented on Bill C-65, “It aims to strengthen the provisions in the CLC (Canada Labour Code), putting into place one comprehensive approach, which takes into account the full spectrum of harassment and violence into consideration.”

November 29, 2020
The Globe and Mail
Is a past criminal conviction and time served always an insurmountable obstacle to working in the public sector?
Monkhouse Law’s Alia Besharat discussed with the Globe and Mail about background checks, criminal records, and employment. Past criminal convictions are not an insurmountable barrier to employment.

November 9, 2020
Law Times
Uber’s California ballot initiative a ‘middle ground’ for employee/contractor classification: lawyer
Alexandra Monkhouse is quoted in the Law Times about the recent Prop 22 passed in California on Nov. 3 and its potential impact on app-based ride-share and delivery workers in Canada. “This proposition shows that network companies can provide some minimum standards and are willing to do so.”

October 12, 2020
The Globe and Mail
Can I end my maternity leave early?

Monkhouse Law’s comments that in the current economic context, it is possible that the help of an employment lawyer might be required to navigate changes in the work conditions.

September 11, 2020
The Lawyer’s Daily
Advancing litigation during COVID-19
Monkhouse Law’s Miguel Mangalindan comments on a very important topic, how to advance litigation in the time of COVID-19.

September 7, 2020
Law Times
Uber v. Heller and Foodora decisions leading gig workers to pursue legal rights: lawyer
Alexandra Neacsu Monkhouse was recently quoted in the Law Times regarding the increase in worker rights class actions in Ontario and Canada.

August 12, 2020
Canadian HR Reporter
6 legal questions on recruiting, retaining remote workers
Andrew Monkhouse was recently quoted in “6 legal questions on recruiting, retaining remote workers” with Canadian HR Reporter, check it out to brush up on return to work legal factors.

July 30, 2020
CBC News

WE employees say they were told to attend 2018 holiday party in Bill Morneau’s riding
Danielle Rawlinson of Monkhouse Law was recently quoted by the CBC regarding We Charity’s use of NDA ‘gag agreements’ to silence past employees.

July 22, 2020
Lawyered – The Podcast

Legal Issues In The Gig Economy
Alexandra Monkhouse spoke with Husein Panju about the Gig Economy, Uber and Covid Benefits.

July 21, 2020
CTV Global News
Ontario wedding videographer facing allegations of denying service to same-sex couples
Employment and human rights lawyer Andrew Monkhouse spoke to Global News, “…all persons are meant to be free from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, and that includes that service providers don’t have the ability to refuse people based on their sexual orientation…”

July 16, 2020
CBC News
Labour lawyer cautions that enforcing mask policies is likely to cause some conflict
Andrew Monkhouse was interviewed on CBC regarding mask requirements and human rights. “Companies need to plan for difficult customers with clear policies and training for employees to help reduce tension” says Andrew Monkhouse. Watch interview >

July 9, 2020
CPA Canada
Look to compromise when returning staff to the office
Andrew Monkhouse discusses employee rights and compromises employers and employees need to make when returning to the office. Reopening during COVID-19 means allowances will have to be made for employees who wish to work off-site. “It may be in the employer’s best interest to find a compromise to preserve employee morale and talent retention,” Andrew Monkhouse says.

June 15, 22 and 25, 2020
Linkedin Series with News Editor Riva Gold
Andrew Monkhouse joins editor Riva Gold to discuss the complexities between your rights as an employee and your duties as an employer.
– June 15: Temporary layoffs in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic.
– June 22: Key questions around returning to work, whether that means a shift from WFH back to the office or workplace, or resuming work following a temporary layoff.
– June 25: Can your boss make you take your temperature or sign a declaration of good health before walking into the office?

June 23, 2020
CPA Canada
Find the right balance for your remote workforce, experts say

Find the right balance for your remote workforce, experts say. “Clear remote work policies will need to be set or reevaluated,” adds employment lawyer Andrew Monkhouse.

June 23, 2020
Global News
Can your employer really cut your pay for working from home?
Is your employer trying to decrease your pay? Andrew Monkhouse tells Global News “… employers cannot unilaterally downgrade an employee’s pay unless regional payscales are part of the original employment contract — which is very rare in Canada”.

June 21, 2020
Blue J Legal
How COVID-19 is impacting reasonable notice (free video)

Andrew Monkhouse spoke at the Blue J Legal seminar on reasonable notice periods in economic downturns.

June 16, 2020
OBA
Raising the Bar While Flattening the Curve: How Predictive Analytics are supporting COVID-era Employment Law Practices
Andrew Monkhouse discusses reasonable notice periods and software at the OBA.

June 1, 2020
The Star
Ontario puts temporarily laid-off workers on emergency leave, pushing back severance pay
Andrew Monkhouse was interviewed about Ontario’s new temporary amendment to labour laws due to COVID-19.

June 1, 2020
The Lawyers Daily
Ontario curtails right to claim constructive dismissal for COVID-19 layoffs

By Peter Spiro and Andrew Monkhouse

May 27, 2020
Global News
No slacking allowed: Companies keep careful eye on work-from-home productivity during COVID-19

“If you are working from home, there’s a greater expense to you,” Andrew Monkhouse comments to Global News regarding expenses of working at home and tax deductions you can potentially apply for.

May 14, 2020
CBC News
Companies monitoring work-from-home productivity during COVID-19

Andrew Monkhouse spoke about employee privacy during COVID-19 on the CBC News.

April 17, 2020
SSRN

Employment Class Actions and the Gig Economy in the US and UK, and Implications for Canada
By Alexandra Monkhouse and Peter Spiro
Around the world, traditional forms of business and employment are being disrupted by new global corporations based on internet apps and platforms. These often provide precarious “Gig Economy” work. A number of approaches are being taken to help prevent the erosion of employment standards in this environment.

April 6, 2020
Financial Times
FT ranking: the Americas’ fastest-growing companies

Monkhouse Law is ranked as one of North Americas’ top 500 Fastest Growing Companies in 2020. In the category of Law, Monkhouse Law is the ‘top growing company in North America’.

April 2, 2020
CBC News
Coronavirus lockdown has forced us into an economic trial and error experiment: Don Pittis

Andrew Monkhouse was interviewed for the CBC News article. He says the economic meltdown has been a wakeup call likely to bring about a change in the rules for employers and independent contractors.

March 10, 2020
CBC Radio

CBC Radio interviews Andrew Monkhouse about what employee rights are during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information listen to the interview.

March 9, 2020
Toronto Star
What are your rights if you’re told to stay away from work because of coronavirus?

Andrew Monkhouse, was recently cited as an expert by the Toronto Star about EI and other rules relating to the COVID-19 outbreak.

March 4, 2020
Global News
Coronavirus: What if your employer asks you to self-quarantine?

We were recently quoted in this article on Global News, “Many employers have taken the approach of asking employees to work from home as an option”.

February 13, 2020
Truck News
Truck drivers have rights after fleet bankruptcies

Miguel Mangalindan from Monkhouse Law was recently quoted in this article on trucknews.com regarding the rights of workers if their company closes down.

February 12, 2020
Canadian Employment Law Today

Cannabis in the workplace
Cannabis in the workplace: What employers and employees need to know to keep workplaces safe and productive in the age of legal cannabis.

January 14, 2020
Inter Alia | Faculty of Common Law Student Newspaper | University of Ottawa
Bonus or No Bonus During the Notice Period?
By Danielle Rawlinson
In October of 2019, in Matthews v Ocean Nutrition Canada, the Supreme Court of Canada (“SCC”) was asked whether a terminated employee is entitled to bonuses during their reasonable notice period. The SCC’s decision will clarify this contentious area of law and decide whether the Bhasin good faith principle is applicable in this realm. More importantly, this decision will no doubt have a major effect on the employment relationship, contractual interpretation of exclusion clauses, and the overall trajectory of employment law across Canada.

2019 News & Publications

December 23, 2019
The General Appeal Podcast, Fair Notice – You’re Fired
Monkhouse Law acted as counsel for a legal aid clinic intervenor before the Supreme Court of Canada. In that case, the intervenor argued that an employee should generally be entitled to all benefits accruing during the common law notice period.  In this podcast, Alexandra Monkhouse explains the definition of the notice period, executive incentive agreement or employee benefit plan and what an exclusion clause means. The lawyers discuss the Matthews case where the Supreme Court of Canada has agreed to hear the case of a fisheries scientist who argued he was a victim of constructive dismissal by his former employer, Ocean Nutrition Canada Ltd.

December 16, 2019
Lawyer’s Daily
Legal developments with contractors in gig economy
By Alexandra Monkhouse and Peter Spiro
Workers who are under a high degree of control are actually employees in the eyes of the law. That is regardless of the fact that they may have been misclassified as independent contractors by their employer.

December 9, 2019
Law Times
‘Polite’ Canadian idiom in lawyers’ emails adds confusion to jury notice snafu
Andrew Monkhouse was recently quoted in the Law Times relating to the Monkhouse Law case, first-chaired by Miguel Mangalindan, fighting out when a question is a question.

December 3, 2019
Global News
She reported her boss had sexually harassed her — then she was fired
We were recently featured on Global News speaking about the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace.

November 22, 2019
The Lawyer’s Daily
Why many employers love independent contractors
By Alexandra Monkhouse and Peter Spiro
Alexandra Monkhouse and Peter Spiro write: There are some benefits for workers in being independent contractors, and some people do prefer having the flexibility to turn down work when it suits them. However, surveys find that a significant percentage of Canadians who work part-time or as independent contractors do so because they have no alternative.

November 12, 2019
The Lawyer’s Daily
Rights of workers in gig economy
By Alexandra Monkhouse and Peter Spiro
The Canadian economy is increasingly being disrupted by new global businesses based on Internet apps and platforms. They are providing precarious gig economy work. In some cases, these are the only alternatives for people who no longer have access to traditional paid employment. Often this is because local employers have been driven out of business by the new competition.

November 6, 2019
Centre for Law, Technology and Society | University of Ottawa
Uber v. Heller | Substantive Rights and Access to Justice in the Gig Economy
Alexandra Monkhouse participated in the panel discussion concerning the Supreme Court hearing in a matter concerning arbitration clauses and employment class actions. Monkhouse Law acted as counsel for the intervenor Don Valley Community Legal Services, a legal aid clinic.

October 17, 2019
Canadian HR Reporter | Canadian Employment Law Today
Bonuses headed to the Supreme Court

By Walter Yoo
The Supreme court is going to hear the Nova Scotia case on employment status and bonus entitlements. In its recent decision in Dawe v. Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada, the Ontario Court of Appeal had an opportunity to establish the law on entitlement to bonuses upon the termination of an employment relationship. Depending on the decision in Matthews v. Ocean Nutrition Canada Limited, which will be heard by the Supreme Court of Canada in October, the law established in Dawe will be further clarified.

October 29, 2019
Cision
Monkhouse Law launches 12 Million Dollar employee class action lawsuit against AE Hospitality, for misclassification of restaurant workers
An employee class action lawsuit has been filed by Monkhouse Law against AE Hospitality of Toronto that operated two closely related catering companies, Encore Food with Elegance and Applause Catering Inc. The two catering companies no longer exist and have been replaced by Encore Catering.

The employee lawsuit claims damages of $5 million for breached employment standards and $2 million in missed CCP and EI premiums. It also seeks $5 million in punitive damages for a total of 12 million dollars.

October 29, 2019
The Canadian Bar Association
Samantha Lucifora of Monkhouse law speaks at the Ontario Bar Association conference of “Ending the Employment Relationship”
From the moment an employee is hired, you need to be considering how that relationship might end: ensuring that the employment contract has appropriate and enforceable termination provisions; avoiding actions that might be construed as a constructive dismissal; and, ultimately, considering all of the relevant factors when the employer-employee relationship ends. This expert faculty will ensure that you can confidently counsel your client on these issues.

October 1, 2019
Cision 
Monkhouse Law is top growing law firm for 2019: The Globe and Mail’s ROB
Employment Law firm Monkhouse Law is the top growing law firm on the inaugural Report on Business (ROB) ranking of Canada’s Top Growing Companies, launched by The Globe and Mail newspaper.

September 27, 2019
The Globe and Mail
Report on Business: Canada’s Top Growing Companies
Monkhouse Law is one of the 400 fastest growing businesses in Canada.

August 20, 2019
The Lawyer’s Daily
Fine balance needed by courts in third-party litigation funding by Peter Spiro
The first time that third-party funding was approved for an Ontario class action was Dugal v. Manulife Financial Corp. [2011] O.J. No. 1239. Justice George Strathy took a deep look at the nature of class actions and decided to approve it.

August 15, 2019
The Lawyer’s Daily
Questions about why Canada Post spent $21M to aggressively defend pay inequity
By Alexandra Monkhouse
Following an access to information request, it has come to light that Canada Post spent $21 million in legal fees fighting employees seeking pay equity in a case that dates back to the 1980s. And, that’s not all: Canada Post fought for six years to keep the figure a secret.

August 9, 2019
The Lawyer’s Daily
Champerty in third-party litigation funding
By Peter Spiro
Specialized hedge funds have emerged that are willing to speculate on the outcome of legal cases, including class actions. They are referred to as third-party litigation funders.

They will fund the expenses of running the case, and an adverse cost award if it is lost, in exchange for a percentage of the winnings in a favourable case. In Ontario, in some of the earliest cases where they appeared, they were willing to undercut the Class Proceedings Fund, e.g., by charging only seven percent rather than 10 percent of the winnings

July 25, 2019
The Lawyer’s Daily
Case highlights ability for clients, counsel to speak publicly on ongoing lawsuits, lawyer says
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has dismissed a defamation counterclaim against a former employee seeking damages for wrongful dismissal after she spoke publicly about an insurer’s alleged discriminatory policies. The court ruled the matter to be of public interest.

July 25, 2019
The Law Times
Ontario court dismisses libel action brought by Allstate Insurance
The Ontario Superior Court has dismissed a libel action brought by Allstate Insurance Company of Canada after Allstate sued a former employee who said she was fired for opposing discriminatory policies within the company.

July 23, 2019
Global News (Canadian Press syndicated story)
Allstate loses bid to sue whistleblower who alleged policy discrimination
The issue, according to Superior Court Justice Jessica Kimmel, was whether Joshi was able to talk freely and publicly about her concerns related to Allstate’s allegedly discriminatory sales practices.

“(They are) the same sales practices that she says she resisted implementing and that resulted in her being fired,” Kimmel said. “This is a matter of public interest.”

July 23, 2019
CityNews (Canadian Press syndicated story)
Allstate loses bid to sue whistleblower who alleged policy discrimination
TORONTO — An insurance company was trying to stifle criticism when it sued a former employee who alleged the corporation was discriminating against visible minority drivers, an Ontario court has found.

In dismissing a $700,000 counterclaim against Medha Joshi, the judge ruled Allstate Insurance Company of Canada had run afoul of legislation that protects whistleblowers and the media when they raise matters in the public interest.

July 23, 2019
CBC News
Ontario Superior Court dismisses Allstate Canada’s counter-claim to wrongful dismissal lawsuit
Judge rules employees can speak to media about human rights abuses; Allstate says it might appeal ruling.

July 23, 2019
Radio Canada International (RCI) (French Network)
Un tribunal ontarien rejette une poursuite d’Allstate contre une lanceuse d’alerte
La Cour supérieure de l’Ontario rejette une poursuite pour diffamation intentée par la compagnie d’assurance Allstate Canada contre une ex-employée. Allstate poursuivait pour près d’un million de dollars Medha Joshi pour atteinte à sa réputation après avoir déclaré à des médias ce que l’assureur qualifiait de faussetés malicieuses.

July 23, 2019
The Lawyer’s Daily
Labour board finds placement agency to be employer
The line between independent contractors and employees can often be blurred. Not only are contract and temporary workers more common than ever in today’s workforce, but independent contractors also use a variety of legal structures to take advantage of business tax breaks. So, while some independent contractors are incorporated, others remain sole proprietors. This makes determining who is entitled to employment standard protections, and who is not, more challenging.

June 12, 2019
Radio Canada International (English Network)
Companies accused of ‘misclassifying’ employees to avoid paying benefits
There are employers who classify their employees as “independent contractors” in order to avoid paying benefits, overtime and other entitlements such as holiday pay says employment lawyer Andrew Monkhouse. This is against labour law in the province of Ontario and elsewhere in Canada.

June 13, 2019
Exchange Magazine
Directors of companies that exploit workers may face personal liability, employment lawyer warns
Employment lawyer Andrew Monkhouse is warning that employers who misclassify workers as ‘independent contractors’ in an attempt to avoid paying benefits, overtime, and other entitlements may find themselves on the hook for sizeable penalties in the form of directors and officers liability.

June 10, 2019
The Lawyer’s Daily
Legal professionals should not be dealing with age discrimination in 2019
In the legal profession, ageism usually exists in subtle ways because legal professionals tend to normalize and accept age discrimination. Rather than acting as a catalyst for age discrimination, legal professionals should implement policies and procedures that preserve employment security and integrity of senior applicants. This seems to be the old adage of “The cobbler’s children have no shoes,” applied to the legal profession.

May 25, 2019
Global News
‘I couldn’t believe it’ — why disability claims for mental health are often a struggle
The basic problem with mental illness is that it’s less visible than a physical ailment. When a worker loses a hand due to an accident, it’s hard to dispute that they have developed a disability, said Andrew Monkhouse, a Toronto employment lawyer.

But when dealing with problems like depression or anxiety, the medical evidence is far less straightforward than, say, an MRI or a blood test. And the issue is not just assessing whether someone suffers from a certain disorder but how far they are along the spectrum, according to Monkhouse. The key question is: what extent is the illness interfering with an employee’s ability to do their job?

May 17, 2019
The Lawyer’s Daily
Changes to averaging agreements may strain employer-employee relationships
Bill 66 is not to be confused with Route 66, the legendary U.S. highway known as “the Main Street of America.” Route 66 took drivers into towns and cities along 2,400 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica, Calif. Bill 66, like other omnibus bills, is quite contrary to Route 66. Rather than being clear legislative roadmaps, omnibus bills tend to have many one-way streets, ambiguous alleys and shortcuts.

May 17, 2019
Insurance Business Canada
Whistleblower faces $700,000 lawsuit from Allstate Canada
Ex-agency manager Mehdi Joshi is on the receiving end of a countersuit that could cost her over $700,000 in damages. Her lawyer, Andrew Monkhouse, warned that the legal dispute could set a dangerous precedent and discourage private-sector employees from speaking out against their employers.

May 16, 2019
CBC News
Allstate whistleblower facing $700K lawsuit says insurance giant trying to silence her
Joshi claims she was fired last year after confronting her managers over a plan to stop selling insurance to drivers who live in Brampton, which has some of the highest premiums in Ontario. “We do hope that if we’re successful, it will give a clear message to all employees that if they have concerns of impropriety at their workplace, that they’re able to voice those concerns,” Monkhouse said.

April 30, 2019
FirstReference HR Blog
Class action lawsuit against RBC/Aviva
According to April 23, 2019, CNW press release, an $80-million class action lawsuit has been filed against RBC Insurance and Aviva General Insurance alleging that the company’s practice of calculating vacation and public holiday pay for commissioned salespeople violated the Ontario Employment Standards Act.

The class action was filed by Monkhouse Law in Toronto on behalf of plaintiff Kabir Singh, an RBC advisor from 2016 to April 2019. If this class action is certified, all employees who fall under the suit’s definition will be members unless they opt-out. Former commissioned salespeople with either RBC or Aviva with information are asked to contact Monkhouse Law.

April 24, 2019
Canadian Employment Law Today
RBC, Aviva face possible class action over vacation, holiday pay
A law firm has filed for certification of a class action lawsuit against RBC Insurance and Aviva General Insurance.
The $80-million lawsuit alleges the company’s practice of calculating vacation and public holiday pay for commissioned salespeople violated the Employment Standards Act.

Apr. 24, 2019
Canadian Underwriter
How sales commissions can result in disputes over vacation pay
Calculating employees’ vacation pay can be an issue for any company whose sales staff earn both a base salary and commission, Toronto employment lawyer Andrew Monkhouse, managing partner and owner of Monkhouse Law, said in an interview.

April 23, 2019
Investment Executive
Proposed class action alleges RBC Insurance, Aviva shortchanged commissioned employees
A proposed class action has been filed against RBC Insurance Agency Ltd. and Aviva General Insurance Company, alleging that the firms failed to properly compensate commissioned salespeople for vacation and public holiday pay.

Monkhouse Law filed the $80-million class action on behalf of Kabir Singh, who was an insurance advisor at RBC from 2016 to April 2019. In a release, the law firm said commissioned salespeople were shortchanged by the two companies, which allegedly calculated vacation and public holiday pay based on the employees’ base salary, rather than total compensation.

April 23, 2019
Advisor.ca
Proposed class action alleges RBC Insurance, Aviva shortchanged commissioned employees
A proposed class action has been filed against RBC Insurance Agency Ltd. and Aviva General Insurance Company, alleging that the firms failed to properly compensate commissioned salespeople for vacation and public holiday pay.

April 20, 2019
Global News
The gig economy is making cash flow management a nearly impossible task
The law provides few avenues for independent workers faced with late or missing payments. With the exception of the construction industry, where unpaid contractors can register a lien against the property they worked on, freelancers and side-hustlers are largely left to their own devices, according to Andrew Monkhouse, a Toronto-based employment lawyer.

March 28, 2019
Canadian Underwriter
How harassment lawsuit ruling affects insurers
Despite a recent ruling that harassment is not a free-standing tort in Ontario, corporate clients and their brokers still need to view harassment accusations as a serious liability risk.

In Merrifield v. The Attorney General, released in 2017, Justice Mary Vallee of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice awarded RCMP officer Peter Merrifield more than $140,000 and found that Ontario has a free-standing tort of harassment.

March 28, 2019
TruckNews.com (Fleet Tax Services)
How Bill C-86 affects leaves of absence and vacation pay
This is the first of a four-part contribution to Trucking HR Canada’s “Modernizing Your HR Approach” blog series covering some of the changes in Bill C-86, starting with new provisions related to leaves of absence and vacation pay.

February 25, 2019
The Lawyer’s Daily
High damages award upheld for employee fired for alleged fraud, intimidated with counter-claim
The Ontario Court of Appeal’s decision to award “unusually high” costs to a man terminated for alleged fraud is a “strong message” to employers to take care when making a counter-claim against an employee, counsel said. In Ruston v. Keddco Mfg. (2011) Ltd. 2019 ONCA 125, the court heard that in 2015 Scott Ruston, the respondent was terminated from his position as president of Keddco Mfg., the appellant. Ruston was told he was being terminated “for cause and that he had committed fraud.”

February 22, 2019
Canadian Occupational Safety
Several issues to consider in calling a snow day: Experts
Generally, in Ontario, there’s no requirement to pay employees when they aren’t working but some companies might still pay workers if they close the office, or close the office early, said Andrew Monkhouse, senior lawyer and founder of Monkhouse Law in Toronto.

But the vast majority of people in Ontario work on annual salaries, so “the expectation is that they will get the work done some other way, even though their employer is allowed to dock them for time not worked — similar for a doctor’s appointment or something else. The tendency is to not do that. But it depends on the employer.”

February 19, 2019
The Toronto Star (Canadian Press syndicated article)
Large damage award upheld by Ontario appeals court for employee who was fired and threatened
A company that fired a senior employee for alleged fraud and then tried to scare him into going along with the dismissal will have to pay him hefty damages as well as an unusually high amount for his legal costs, Ontario’s top court ruled on Tuesday.

“This decision is a reminder to companies of their obligation to be candid and honest with employees, particularly during and after termination, a vulnerable time,” Samantha Lucifora, one of Ruston’s lawyers, said after last year’s trial decision.

2018 News & Publications

December 17, 2018
Insurance Business Canada
Lawsuit accuses Allstate of discriminatory practices
One of the country’s largest insurers has found itself in hot water after a former agent accused it of refusing to sell auto insurance to residents in Brampton, a community in southern Ontario with a large population of visible minorities.

December 15, 2018
CBC News
Allstate tried to cut off auto insurance sales to drivers in Brampton, lawsuit claims
An Ontario woman is taking one of the province’s biggest insurance providers to court, alleging she was fired for pushing back on the company’s “discriminatory” effort to stop selling plans to drivers who live in Brampton. “It’s just wrong. There is no other word for it,” said Medha Joshi. “I said it was wrong, and I was reprimanded for it.”

November 8, 2018
CBC News
‘I told them the truth’: Worker says job offer taken away over medical cannabis prescription
Clayton Hannah says he wanted to be honest with a future employer when he disclosed that he has a medical cannabis prescription, but now believes it cost him a lucrative job offer. Hannah was concerned that THC from a cannabis oil treatment he had taken to treat his cancer might still be lingering in his system. He has follicular lymphoma, a form of incurable blood cancer that progresses slowly. Hannah said he was prescribed cannabis oil with a high THC content to experiment with tumour suppression.

September 10, 2018
The Law Times
Worker wins damages after colleague says racial slur
The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario has ordered a man who used a racial slur to pay $1,000 in damages to a colleague who overheard the comment in a workplace lunchroom. Andrew Monkhouse, of Monkhouse Law in Toronto, says it’s more common for people to pursue claims against their employer, not other employees.

“I think for a client who’s experienced this, it shows that the HRTO is a valid option for pursuing it, and, obviously, this person was able to get what they asked for — they asked for $1,000, the tribunal awarded that. So, I think that that’s beneficial,” he says.

August 2, 2018
The Toronto Sun
Employment Lawyer says mental health sufferers often denied disability unfairly
Depression quickly set in: “I was devastated on how they could treat a 30-year employee, who has always done his job well based on all previous reviews was terminated over the phone,” says a telecommunications expert making more than $100K a year. He was transferred to the U.S from Canada as part of a large company re-organization, but things quickly unravelled as he fought depression and anxiety. Within a year, he applied for disability benefits, only to be denied and then terminated leaving him, feeling hopeless and destroyed.

May 28, 2018
The Law Times
OCA ruling to influence firing decisions by employers
Employment lawyers say an Ontario Court of Appeal decision endorsing the application of the good faith doctrine in the performance of termination clauses injects a measure of fairness into firing decisions.“This decision shows a real and important extension of the good faith doctrine,” adds Toronto employment lawyer Andrew Monkhouse, who was not involved in the case.

April 16, 2018
The Law Times
Class actions on worker misclassification will continue
According to Toronto employment lawyer Andrew Monkhouse, many employers are attracted to contractor relationships with workers by the accounting simplicity of a smaller workforce.

“In my experience, it’s motivated by the tax implications, rather than avoiding vacation pay or other ESA entitlements. It can be quite onerous on small businesses to do statutory deductions for employment insurance and [the Canada Pension Plan] on a monthly basis,” he says. “But over time, misclassification can hurt workers.”

March 15, 2018
Canadian Lawyer
Costs awarded to plaintiff class in Ontario lawyers’ action against Deloitte
An Ontario Superior Court justice has found that the class action lawsuit brought against Deloitte LLP by lawyers who had reviewed documents for the firm constituted a success for the plaintiff class, and he has granted the representative plaintiff for the class a cost award.

March 7, 2018
The Financial Post
Lawyers’ class action over unpaid employment benefits masks regulatory inaction over unauthorized legal services
On its face, the case is about whether Deloitte misclassified the lawyers as independent contractors rather than employees and so wrongfully deprived them of statutory overtime, vacation and holiday pay.

“Deloitte’s position is probably based on conflicts and regulatory issues,” said Andrew Monkhouse, managing partner of Monkhouse Law, who is co-counsel for the class with Samuel Marr of Landy Marr Kats LLP. “The issue of whether Deloitte was providing legal services won’t come up directly in the case, but it is hanging over everything.”

February 25, 2018
The Lawyer’s Daily
Class action against Deloitte highlights need for positions to be examined and classified
Over 400 lawyers are bringing a class action against Deloitte for compensation of unpaid overtime, vacation and statutory holidays in a claim that alleges they were misclassified as independent contractors instead of as employees.

“We feel strongly that the class members were not given the benefits that employees are entitled to and so the case is going to move forward now that it’s been certified,” said Samuel Marr, of Landy Marr Kats LLP and counsel for the class with Andrew Monkhouse, managing partner of Monkhouse Law.

February 19, 2018
The Toronto Star
Novelist’s battle over disability insurance claim sparks a reckoning in Quebec
Social media snooping by claims agents is “fairly common,” said Andrew Monkhouse, founder of Toronto employment law firm Monkhouse Law.

“At the lower-level assessment, there is, in my opinion, a lot of judgment being made,” he said. “Like, ‘Oh, this person’s depressed, but here’s a picture of them at a birthday party where they look happy, so they can’t be depressed.’ ”

February 12, 2018
The National Post (sponsored content)
Terminated? What you do when faced with job loss is crucial, employment lawyer warns

In utter shock, she packed up her desk and a week later signed off on the termination package. Fortunately, the 39-year-old landed on her feet within three months but, in retrospect, Reynolds wishes she had had not signed off so soon and instead sought out legal advice regarding her entitlements.

Don’t panic and don’t sign anything right away, stresses leading employment lawyer Andrew Monkhouse.

2017 News & Publications

November 27, 2017
Canadian HR Reporter
Why is sexual harassment not going away?
And with the media spotlight trained squarely on sexual harassment, victims are becoming more willing to come forward with claims, said Andrew Monkhouse, employment lawyer at Monkhouse Law in Toronto.“Increased knowledge has led to an increased number of complaints about sexual harassment, specifically in the workplace… The right things are happening in terms of people coming out and speaking out about how they’ve been treated.”

April 24, 2017
The Law Times
Certification motion adjourned for 60 days
Lawyers for the plaintiff class said in a press release that the ruling is a “significant step forward for misclassified workers who do not have the same protections as employees.”

“This certification motion shows that employers who misclassify employees as contractors can have substantial liability towards those workers, no matter what the contract says,” said plaintiff class lawyer Andrew Monkhouse.

April 17, 2017
HR Reporter
Do we need a law banning high heels?
This issue involves people who are in a very vulnerable position, with their employment potentially being terminated, said Andrew Monkhouse, senior lawyer and founder of Monkhouse Law in Toronto.

March 6, 2017
The Law Times
Speaker’s Corner: Civil delays and access to justice
In the 2016 decision of R v. Jordan, the Supreme Court of Canada revisited s. 11(b) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The section states that an accused person has the right “to be tried within a reasonable time.” In Jordan, the court outlined a new test in order to alleviate the “culture of delay.”

2015 News & Publications

Hamilton Spectator
Employees get severance in lieu of notice
“Employees might be eligible for up to a month’s wages per year of service, or even more if they are short-service employees,” said Monkhouse. “Unfortunately, many people don’t know their rights and might sign without having their contract reviewed.”

March 13, 2015
Law and Style Magazine
Deloitte’s document review branch hit with $384-million class action lawsuit
A Toronto lawyer has filed a massive class action lawsuit against Deloitte LLP, seeking $384 million on behalf of lawyers who worked at the accounting giant’s document-review branch. Deloitte stormed into the document-review game last January, when it acquired ATD Legal Services, a start-up that specialized in outsourced legal work, often assisting on major files for the largest law firms in the city. Founded in 2010, ATD was the brainchild of Shelby Austin, a former partner at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, who continues to oversee the document-review team at Deloitte. Both ATD and Deloitte hired contract lawyers to perform much of the work on a project-by-project basis.

March 13, 2015
The Toronto Star
Deloitte sued for $384 million in lawyer class action
A Toronto lawyer has launched a $384-million class action lawsuit against Deloitte LLP, alleging that hundreds of lawyers were misclassified as independent contractors, depriving them of employee benefits.

The lawsuit claims that as independent contractors, the lawyers missed out on Employment Standards Act entitlements such as vacation or overtime pay, and the company was not required to provide termination notice.

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