David Baker comments to the Canadian with Disabilities Act Review

• March 30, 2017
• David Baker
• Comments Off on David Baker comments to the Canadian with Disabilities Act Review

Bakerlaw’s David Baker recently provided his comments to the Canadians with Disabilities Act Review process focusing on employment. His comments are below:

The Minister will accomplish nothing by tampering with human rights protections for individuals with disabilities under the Canadian Human Rights Act. » Read the rest

Discrimination in the professions

• July 23, 2015
• Phil Emery
• Comments Off on Discrimination in the professions

Bakerlaw has seen a series of cases recently that relate to discrimination in the professions. These cases have reminded us that regulatory bodies and employers often overlook the potential for discrimination both against professionals and by professionals.

To become a professional, an individual must meet certain standards that are set by regulatory bodies. » Read the rest

Public servants with visual impairments say government failing them

• July 23, 2015
• Phil Emery
• Comments Off on Public servants with visual impairments say government failing them

David Baker recently spoke with Julie Ireton of CBC to voice the concerns of public servants with visual impairments who allege that the federal government is lagging behind when it comes to accessibility in employment. Please see CBC’s July 2, 2015 article to learn more about the federal government’s failure to ensure all of its employees have the tools necessary to do their jobs (link to article). » Read the rest

Department of National Defence turns down foreign-trained professionals despite shortage

• April 20, 2015
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Department of National Defence turns down foreign-trained professionals despite shortage

Starting Monday April 13, 2015, bakerlaw appeared before the Canadian Human Rights Commission in Toronto on behalf of Arthur Keith, a former U.S Air Force psychiatrist.  Despite a shortage of mental health staff in the Canadian military, and despite Dr. Keith being licensed to practice in Ontario, his applications have been consistently turned down due to a policy that excludes foreign-born and foreign-trained specialists due to a required extra level of certification. » Read the rest

Accommodating Age in the Workplace

• March 6, 2015
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Accommodating Age in the Workplace

On March 24, 2015, David Baker will be delivering a paper at the Law Society of Upper Canada’s ‘Accommodating Age in the Workplace’ CPD event.  The event will examine what the virtual elimination of mandatory retirement will mean for employers accommodating an aging workforce. » Read the rest

Issues in Litigation when Workplace Investigations are Conducted

• January 30, 2015
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Issues in Litigation when Workplace Investigations are Conducted

Workplace investigations are becoming increasingly routine in the today’s business environment.  When a workplace investigation is conducted in an employment or human rights matter that ends up proceeding to litigation, the results of that investigation can be very valuable.  However, there are a number of issues of which an employee must be aware in terms of their rights with respect to the workplace investigation and its results, including:

1. The workplace investigation must be fair;
2. The employee must err on the side of caution and assume that the limitation period for preserving their legal rights is running while the workplace investigation is being conducted; and
3. Unless explicitly stated to the contrary, the employee should assume the employer will claim the results of the workplace investigation as privileged and confidential.

Think job accommodations are costly and ineffective? Think again.

• September 20, 2013
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Think job accommodations are costly and ineffective? Think again.

Workplace accommodations are “low cost and high impact”, the Job Accommodation Network says. See the results of their study here.

Bakerlaw can help employers develop accommodations in the workplace. We also help employees secure accommodations. If you require assistance, please feel free to contact us for a consultation.

Federal Court of Appeal orders that Canada become international leader in website accessibility in Jodhan case

• February 1, 2013
• David Baker
• Comments Off on Federal Court of Appeal orders that Canada become international leader in website accessibility in Jodhan case

Read the full decision here.

Historic Victory Makes Websites Accessible to Blind Canadians

• September 5, 2012
• David Baker
• Comments Off on Historic Victory Makes Websites Accessible to Blind Canadians

FOR RELEASE SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

Historic Victory Makes Websites Accessible to Blind Canadians

Blind Canadians can sleep soundly tonight in the knowledge that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees them (1) access to electronic means of communication, and (2) that as communication technologies change the legal obligation to maintain accessibility will not. » Read the rest