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British Columbia Employer Advisor Keeping Employers Posted on Developments in Labour and Employment Law

Tag Archives: punitive damages

More Punitive Damages

By Paige Morrow on Posted in Damages, Just Cause, Litigation, Termination, Wrongful Dismissal

Another BC employer has been hit with punitive damages.  There have been cases where flawed investigations have led to punitive damages (see the Vernon case in BC, and Home Hardware in Alberta), and there have been jury awards for bad employer conduct (see Babine Forest Products in BC, and Wal-Mart in Ontario).  Now another BC Supreme Court case - Kelly v. Norsemont… → Read More

Workplace Investigations – Part 1

By Donovan Plomp on Posted in Damages, Investigations, Just Cause, Termination, Wrongful Dismissal

With the complexity of workplace law and issues, employers are subject to an increasing number of workplace obligations.  When a workplace incident arises it’s often required, or at least advisable, that an employer conduct a prompt and thorough investigation. In this and subsequent posts, we will review some key legal issues that arise in conducting… → Read More

Wal-Mart Ordered to Pay Over 1 Million in Damages

By Earl Phillips on Posted in Damages, Discrimination, Just Cause, Litigation, Termination, Wrongful Dismissal

On October 10, 2012, a jury awarded a former Wal-Mart employee over $1.4 million dollars in damages.  The jury found that the employee was constructively dismissed due to an abusive work environment at the Windsor Wal-Mart store.  This is the largest such award in Canadian history and, as expected, will be appealed by Wal-Mart. Summary… → Read More

Jury Trials in Employment Cases

Another US/Canada Difference

By Earl Phillips on Posted in Damages, Litigation, Termination, US vs.Canadian Employment Law, Wrongful Dismissal

Jeff Polsky has responded on the issue of at will employment and we’ll accept that there is good and bad in both systems.  The most important thing for employers from either the US or Canada operating in the other country is to understand the difference and make appropriate adjustments in hiring and firing practices. Jeff’s post… → Read More

Jury Awards Punitive Damages

By Earl Phillips on Posted in Damages, Just Cause, Litigation, Termination, Wrongful Dismissal

A jury in Prince George, British Columbia has awarded $573,000 in punitive damages to a terminated employee.  It may be the highest such award in Canadian employment law history. The employee had worked for Babine Forest Products for 34 years.  The company was acquired by Portland, Oregon based Hampton Lumber Mills in 2006.  The employee… → Read More