Employers: It's Time For An Employment Contract Audit!

Many private sector employers in Ontario maintain and utilize template offers of employment or employment agreements to provide to employees at the time of hire or upon promotion. From time to time, such templates need to be carefully reviewed with legal counsel to ensure compliance with the latest developments in case law or changes in employment-related legislation. Clauses in employment contracts containing mistakes may be declared void, leading to unforeseen and costly problems for employers. While we recommend such contract reviews take place annually, we know some clients may be reluctant to incur such costs, particularly in financially leaner years.

Employers should be aware of recent Ontario employment law cases that have identified deficiencies in standard employment agreements and rendered integral parts of the contract unenforceable. In many cases, this has exposed employers to significantly higher costs in damages awards made to employees. Perhaps more