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Legal Briefings: General (Toronto)

BULLYING IN THE WORKPLACE

Workplace bullying refers to mistreatment from colleagues in the workplace. Bullying is often thought of as a childhood phenomenon—one that is grown out of with the maturity of adulthood. The reality, however, is that some unhappy folks remain bullies even after moving beyond high school and puberty and the other stresses of maturation. These people are often suffering from painful experiences themselves, and are taking their unvoiced frustrations out on others. No matter the genesis of this behavior, however, it cannot be tolerated—particularly in a professional setting.

 

Bullying in the workplace has the potential to create more than just a bad day for all involved. When co-workers assert themselves in an unhealthy and unprofessional manner, they are effectively undermining the efficiency and safety of the workplace. This can reflect poorly on you as a member of the company, and can even endanger your life in certain situations (particularly in industrial settings). When this type of behavior is encountered, it must be dealt with immediately.

 

As with childhood, adult and workplace bullies can be intimidating, and victims are often afraid to take action to resolve the problem. Unlike schoolyard terrors, however, workplace bullies are adults and subject to adult discipline. Any truly violent or threatening behavior is subject to legal recourse, and victims must keep this in mind when they are being frightened and dominated into tolerating bullying. Ultimately, bullies are typically weak people who prey on those that they perceive to be weaker than themselves in order to artificially boost their lost self-image. The best way to end bullying is to stand up to the aggressor—not through violence, but through thought-out proactive steps that may require the involvement of the law. Start by enlisting the support of your co-workers and employers. Then, if further action is required, consider seeking legal counsel.

 

If you have any queries, contact us.

JOB LOSS: MINIMIZING YOUR RISKS

In a time filled with financial uncertainty and an ongoing global financial crisis, job security is of the utmost importance. Large portions of the population are now suffering the effects of unemployment due to job loss. However, for those fortunate enough to have steady work, collapsing industries and the threat of downsizing can be quite stressful. Although nothing in life is ever 100% certain, there are a number of things we can do to minimize our risks of job loss. Now more than ever it is the average employee’s responsibility to become more aware of these best practices.

Laws governing the workplace and employer/employee relationships can seem intimidating to those lacking in legal experience. Additionally, contracts established between employers and employees can often be complicated and highly involved. In order to better understand your rights as an employee, it is often necessary to enlist the help of expert legal counsel. 

 

 

However, there are a number of things you can do on your own to protect your job security and reduce the risk of job loss. Knowing your rights will enable you to avoid unnecessary trouble and to be confident in your workplace. Contrarily, not knowing your rights will always attract people who will take advantage of you.

 

 

We will explore these practices in detail at the upcoming free seminar “Employee Terminations: Minimizing Your Risks” presented by Kazembe Law. If you are concerned about a potential termination, or simply want to ensure that you are doing everything in your power to establish a rock-solid professional future, join us for this in-depth discussion of workplace rights. 

 

 

This is part of Kazembe Law’s “In the Know” legal information sessions. A series of free breakfast seminars presented by Kazembe Law. The seminars are intended to help you understand your rights and options in a variety of legal situations.

 

 

If you have any queries, contact us.

DIFFICULT WORK: ALL WORK AND NO PLAY

For a lucky few who make a living doing what they love, going to work is a pleasure to be looked forward to. For others, however, it can become difficult work that is only borderline tolerable. In this case, extra stresses beyond those normally experienced at the workplace can serve to exacerbate the situation and cause many to dread their daily routine. When these negative external factors become a chronic problem, it is important to know your legal rights, as well as the steps necessary to resolve any contributing issues.

 

Disagreements with co-workers and management, racial and gender discrimination, ethical discrepancies and bullying are a few factors that can lead to an unpleasant work experience. Although laws have been put into place to protect the rights of both employees and employers, many of us are unaware of the full scope of our rights, or may find ourselves in a situation where asserting our rights can seem risky. 

 

 

By increasing our understanding of the legal issues at play in the workplace, we can equip ourselves to stand up for our personal rights, subsequently creating a safer, more enjoyable work environment for all parties involved. In turn, this leads to a more productive environment that is conducive to progress, innovation and success.

 

 

If you are experiencing a violation of your rights in the workplace, or would like to know more about laws related to labor and the employer/employee relationship, join us for our free seminar “All Work and no Play: When Your Work Becomes Difficult.”

 

 

This is part of Kazembe Law “In the Know” legal information sessions. A series of free breakfast seminars presented by Kazembe Law. The seminars are intended to help you understand your rights and options in a variety of legal situations.

 

 

If you have any queries, contact us.

HUMAN RIGHTS IN ONTARIO

Although the basic human rights are universal—or at least should be—different regions face different problems with human rights violations. While one country might struggle with guaranteeing basic necessities to disenfranchised portions of the population while a small minority abuses its power and accumulates wealth at the expense of the environment, another may face problems with human trafficking or abuses in the health care system.

But whatever manifestation these various problems take, they all represent violations of basic rights that must be enjoyed by all members of our global community if equality, sustainability, and universal prosperity are to become more than an idealistic pipe dream.


This week, Kazembe Law’s free seminar series In the Know will feature a special guest speaker from the Human Rights Commission.


As our topic of discussion, we will focus on human rights issues in Ontario, including recent successes, common violations and what we can do as individuals to guarantee the rights of our fellow community members. A must-attend for anyone concerned about their own rights and the rights of others, this event promises to be one of the most important of the series.


This is part of Kazembe Law’s “In the Know” legal information sessions. A series of free breakfast seminars presented by Kazembe Law. The seminars are intended to help you understand your rights and options in a variety of legal situations.


If you have any queries, contact us.