Episodes

Monday May 15, 2023
You’re Fired! The Webinar.
Monday May 15, 2023
Monday May 15, 2023
Originally presented on May 10th 2023
An overview of dismissals - with cause, without cause, and constructive - so you can understand your rights and adopt a strategic approach.
Topics include:
- Why are most termination clauses in employment contracts not worth the paper they are printed on?
- When can you "fire" someone for just cause?
- Is severance really a month of salary per year of service?
- Are you entitled to bonuses even after dismissal?
Dismissals remain the most misunderstood area of HR Law, and yet it is also the most dangerous. Getting it wrong can expose an organization to substantial liability and can cause someone to lose out on tens of thousands of dollars. Despite that, most people and organizations don't get proper advice, choosing to act before they understand their rights and obligations and costing themselves a lot by doing so.
We will explain how to assess severance obligations and post-termination entitlements, how to minimize termination costs, when just cause for dismissal exists, and how you can dismiss someone without meaning to by changing the terms of their employment. You will find out why we say that although the threshold is high, "just cause is not a lost cause".
Lastly, attendees will learn why we say that the majority of termination clauses in Ontario are unenforceable, and how to ensure that you can rely on yours.
www.rudnerlaw.ca

Tuesday May 02, 2023
Employers should not use performance improvement plans in bad faith.
Tuesday May 02, 2023
Tuesday May 02, 2023
This update, which was supposed to be Stuart's latest rant, focuses on performance improvement plans and why employers shouldn't use them in bad faith, just to build a file for dismissal or cut compensation - these are recipes for liability.

Wednesday Apr 19, 2023
Fire Away: Managing performance and motivation, and setting ourselves up for success.
Wednesday Apr 19, 2023
Wednesday Apr 19, 2023
Stuart Rudner is joined by Cameron Atlas, a talented musician, fantastic speaker and highly sought-after coach, for an insightful discussion on performance and motivation.

Friday Feb 10, 2023
Time Theft - Nadia on 580 CFRA Ottawa Now with Kristy Cameron
Friday Feb 10, 2023
Friday Feb 10, 2023
It might be the start of a new year, but several employers are still relying on the modern-day clock for evaluating productivity. Nadia joined Ottawa Now with Kristy Cameron to talk about time theft.
Originally aired January 30th 2023.
All rights belong to CFRA Ottawa, iHeart Radio and Bell Media.

Wednesday Jan 18, 2023
Fire Away: Downsize without the downside.
Wednesday Jan 18, 2023
Wednesday Jan 18, 2023
How can employers navigate downsizing and layoffs with low or no risk? Stuart is joined by Frank Newman and Brian Epstein of Newman HR. They're going to be talking you through downsizing and layoffs and discussing how to navigate these situations safely as an employer to limit your risk.

Tuesday Jan 03, 2023
Using technology to conduct virtual dismissals.
Tuesday Jan 03, 2023
Tuesday Jan 03, 2023
Nadia talks about using technology to conduct virtual dismissals - like using Zoom to fire a worker who is remote, hybrid, or even on leave.

Tuesday Nov 15, 2022
Tuesday Nov 15, 2022
Stuart has heard people say they'd rather bankrupt a company than pay a plaintiff the severance they're seeking - but he usually takes this with a big grain of salt. However, in one Alberta case, this is exactly what the company tried to do.

Monday Nov 07, 2022
Should you lie to your boss about how ”remote” you really are?
Monday Nov 07, 2022
Monday Nov 07, 2022
If you’re a remote worker, is it okay to lie to your employer about being at home when you’re really working from an exotic location? It might sound pretty harmless, especially if you get your work done. But Stuart has some concerns that you should be aware of before you make a big move.

Wednesday Oct 19, 2022
Wednesday Oct 19, 2022
Did Bell Media handle the termination of Lisa LaFlamme correctly? In this episode of Fire Away, Stuart is joined by Eric Yaverbaum, CEO of Ericho Communications, for a discussion on handling terminations, especially when they're high profile, and how not to fire an employee.

Wednesday Oct 05, 2022
Wednesday Oct 05, 2022
We all know there is a duty on the part of an employer to act in good faith in the course of a dismissal. In this video update, Stuart talks about what happens when an employer is found to have acted in bad faith.