HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER

Human rights law protects against discrimination in the workplace

STACEY REGINALD BALL

82 SCOLLARD STREET TORONTO, ON, M5R 1G2

Call: (416) 921 7997 Ext.225     Email: srball@82scollard.com

In order to access the protections and rights of the Employment Standards Act, an individual typically needs to be considered an “employee” as opposed to an “independent contractor”.

HUMAN RIGHTS CODE

The Course of Your Employment

Ontario’s human rights legislation is the Ontario Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990 and it protects individuals in five social areas, including employment. The Code prohibits discrimination on the basis of various prohibited grounds. For employment, these are; age, race, citizenship, ethnic origin, place of origin, creed, disability, family status, marital status, gender identity or gender expression, record of offences, sex (including pregnancy and breastfeeding) and sexual orientation. Federally regulated employees, such as those working for airlines, banks or telephone companies, must file a claim with the Canadian Human Rights Commission. By contrast, provincially regulated employees may file applications at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.

Human rights cases relating to the workplace most often fall into two broad categories; sexual harassment and discrimination. Please see the article titled “Sexual Harassment” for more information on that topic. The right to “equal treatment with respect to employment” covers each aspect of the workplace environment and the employment relationship. This includes job applications, recruitment, training, transfers, promotions, dismissal and layoffs. As well, it covers rate of pay, overtime, hours of work, holidays, benefits, discipline and performance evaluations.

​Types of Discrimination

There are three types of discrimination that employers and employees may come across. These are direct, adverse effect and systemic. Direct discrimination occurs when a person is disadvantaged on the basis of an explicit reference to group affiliation. For example, if a “help wanted” sign said that only males need apply, this would be direct discrimination on the basis of gender. Adverse effect discrimination occurs when a seemingly neutral rule or policy has a discriminatory effect on members of a certain group. For example, minimum height requirements for airline pilots constituted adverse effect discrimination against women. Lastly, systemic discrimination concerns overlapping and interconnected rules, practices and assumptions that combine to produce a discriminatory effect.

Note that discrimination on the basis of political belief, opinion, affiliation, association, activity or conviction is permissible in the province of Ontario. However, these do constitute prohibited grounds of discrimination in in all jurisdictions except the federal jurisdiction, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Nunavut and Ontario.

DISCRIMINATION

ACCOMMODATE

Employer’s Duty to Accommodate

The duty to accommodate requires the employer to demonstrate they could not have accommodated an employee without undue hardship. This applies where, for example, an employee has a disability which makes it more difficult to work. Simply firing the employee as a consequence of his disability would obviously be a violation the Ontario Human Rights Code, and if this has happened to you, you should contact a human rights lawyer such as Stacey Ball.

The purpose of accommodation is “to ensure that an employee who is able to work can do so” and that “persons who are otherwise fit to work are not unfairly excluded where working conditions can be adjusted without undue hardship”. The duty to accommodate is a demanding obligation and requires employers to assume substantial extra obligations and financial costs to promote a fully integrated and non-discriminatory workplace.

What is undue hardship? This does not require an employer to show that it is impossible to accommodate an employee, but does require them to show that nothing else reasonable or practical could be offered. The word “undue” implies that some hardship is acceptable. There is no exact definition of what “undue hardship” is, but courts have considered the following factors: cost of accommodation, outside sources of funding (if any), and health and safety requirements (if any). In Ontario, no other factors can be considered. This means that business inconvenience, employee morale, and customer preference is not to be considered in how far an employer must go in accommodating their employees.

The duty to accommodate ends when, even with appropriate accommodation, an employee is no longer able to fulfill the basic obligations associated with their employment.

Discrimination: The Bona Fide Occupational Requirement or Qualification (BFORQ) Defence

Employees who believe they have been discriminated against contrary to the Ontario Human Rights Code should keep in mind the Bona Fide Occupational Requirement or Qualification Defence. This is the most important statutory defence to discrimination. The purpose of the defence is to excuse discrimination when it is done in good faith and for a legitimate business reason.

According to the Supreme Court of Canada in British Columbia (Public Service Employee Relations Commission) v. BCGSEU, there is a three-step test which must be satisfied in order for a discriminatory workplace standard to be a bona fide occupational requirement:

  1. that the employer adopted the standard for a purpose rationally connected to the performance of the job;
  2. that the employer adopted the particular standard in an honest and good faith belief that it was necessary to the fulfilment of that legitimate work-related purpose; and
  3. that the standard is reasonably necessary to the accomplishment of that legitimate work-related purpose. To show that the standard is reasonably necessary, it must be demonstrated that it is impossible to accommodate individual employees sharing the characteristics of the claimant without imposing undue hardship upon the employer.

If you have been discriminated against on a prohibited ground during the course of your employment, contact Stacey Ball – employment lawyer and human rights lawyer in Toronto to understand your options in detail. You may file an application at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, keeping in mind there is a one-year time limit for filing an application from the last discriminatory event according to section 34 of the Ontario Human Rights Code. Ontario’s common law may also indirectly provide additional remedies for discrimination, human rights abuses and sexual harassment.

You may file a lawsuit for wrongful dismissal, constructive dismissal, assault, or the tort of intentional infliction of nervous shock or suffering, and explain how discrimination or harassment played in role in the conduct in question. Note that the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario cannot consider an application if there is already a human rights claim before the court or the claim is the subject of a court decision. The determination of whether or not the legal elements for a human rights, discrimination or sexual harassment case are present depends on the circumstances surrounding the incident.

DEFENCE TO DISCRIMINATION

CONSULTATIONS

ADDITIONAL ARTICLES ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS IN EMPLOYMENT LAW

Remedies Available in Human Rights Claims

January 4, 2020

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Workplace Suspension in Ontario

September 2, 2020

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Reinstatement Rights in Ontario

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Basic Worker Rights in Ontario

September 11, 2020

3 BASIC RIGHTS OF WORKERS IN ONTARIO-WHAT YOU MUST KNOW Every person employed in Ontario has the...

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Canadian Employment Law

Canadian Employment Law

Mr. Ball is the author of the authoritative and definitive text Canadian Employment Law, published by Canada Law Book (a division of Thomson Reuters). The text is used and cited by lawyers, law schools and judges across Canada.

To order Mr. Ball’s Canadian Employment Law, please visit the Carswell Store by clicking here or on the button below.

CLIENT REVIEWS

Google Reviews

Beijia Zhang
Beijia Zhang
21:41 09 Apr 23
Stacy helped me with my case with my previous employer. I have to say that Stacy is the best lawyer I ever met. He worked incredibly hard on my case and helped me fight over the wrongful dismissal, eventually he solved my issue and we settled at a very good deal. I was super impressed by his professionalism and integrity, plus he has passion towards what he is doing. Stacy is the best of all! One of a kind!!!!!!!!
R Cooray
R Cooray
19:11 04 May 23
Stacey and his amazing team did a fantastic job with my case. Their professionalism and many years of experience helped me to settle my case. Stacey has written some of Canadian employment law. I would highly recommend to anyone to seek advise before signing any documents.
Marion Gordon
Marion Gordon
10:27 13 Jul 23
Stacey Ball fought hard in my wrongful dismissal case and we came out ahead. I am very happy with him and his team. I strongly recommend him if you have a wrongful dismissal case.
Wilma Carlson
Wilma Carlson
17:43 07 Jul 23
Stacey's professionalism and strong communication skills helped me feel informed and reassured throughout the entire process. Thanks to his tenacity and unwavering support, I achieved a successful outcome that I am truly grateful for.
Sharon Smerek
Sharon Smerek
18:28 14 Jun 23
Stacey R. Ball has bar admittance in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario. Will give excellent advice, and if you have a case , he will proceed on your behalf . Stacey Ball is known as the best employment lawyer across Canada.
PATRYK Szpindler
PATRYK Szpindler
11:22 03 Oct 23
Working with Stacey Ball was the best decision for my employment-related case. He was responsive to my questions, addressed all my concerns promptly and, most importantly, secured a fair resolution. Thanks again!!
Pilar M
Pilar M
11:19 03 Oct 23
Stacey R. Ball and his team represented me in my wrongful dismissal case. They exhibited a solid grasp of employment law and guided me through the legal proceedings. They were very diligent, especially in updating me on the status of my case. I really appreciate what they've done for me.
Hanan Wahib
Hanan Wahib
15:16 22 Jan 24
I am very grateful for the outstanding job that Stacy Ball and his team have done.. I want to thank you Stacy for your exceptional professional expertise and unwavering support throughout my case. Your dedication, knowledge, and genuine compassion made a significant impact on the positive outcome.I am grateful to have encountered you both as a lawyer and as a person of great humanity.
Lisa Joslin
Lisa Joslin
20:07 30 Jan 24
I had the pleasure of working with Stacey Ball and his assistants. From the start to the finish, my experience with them was nothing short of outstanding.Stacey possesses an in-depth knowledge of employment laws and regulations. His expertise was evident as he navigated through my case. He took the time to understand my situation, ensuring that I felt heard, understood, and supported throughout the entire process.Communication was clear, prompt, and thorough, making a stressful situation more manageable.I highly recommend Stacey R Ball for anyone seeking expert employment law guidance. Overall, my experience was exceptional, and I am so very grateful for the positive resolution.
sean hogue
sean hogue
22:05 30 Jan 24
I recently used Stacey to resolve an employment issue and was very pleased with the result. This is the second time I've engaged his services over the years. Stacey is the consummate professional, extremely knowledgeable and I'm thankful for his skillful representation. I have also recommended Stacey to others who have experienced the same results.
Melanie Kirkpatrick
Melanie Kirkpatrick
17:34 04 Apr 24
I would highly recommend Stacey Ball. If you're seeking an employment lawyer who is not only highly skilled but also genuinely cares about their clients, look no further than Stacey Ball. He is simply the best in the business!I must also applaud his outstanding assistant, Amy. With Amy's proactive communication, together, they form an unbeatable team!
Ritesh Jadhav
Ritesh Jadhav
13:40 16 Aug 24
Losing a job unfairly is a stressful experience, but Mr. Stacey Ball provided not only legal support but also emotional reassurance. I'd highly recommend him to anyone facing a similar situation. He truly goes above and beyond for his clients!
Nicholas Banks
Nicholas Banks
17:31 18 Aug 24
We engaged this lawyer to assist our company with a complex employment dispute. Stacey Ball took the time to understand our company’s policies, procedures, and the specifics of the case. He kept the process moving efficiently and allowed us to make informed decisions without unnecessary delays. The outcome of the case was also favourable, thanks to Mr. Ball’s hard work and dedication.
Jennifer Patricia
Jennifer Patricia
19:51 01 Oct 24
Stacey Ball and his team provide outstanding representation for wrongfully dismissed employees. From the initial consultation, Mr. Ball will demonstrate his deep understanding of employment law, and he will share straightforward, realistic expectations so clients can make informed decisions with confidence. His team is always responsive, and they provide clear guidance throughout the process to help clients feel informed and supported during a stressful time.Mr. Ball's fees are reasonable, enabling clients to receive equitable settlements from former employers, and to move forward with their lives and careers. This firm is highly recommended for anyone facing employment issues!
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