Difference between revisions of "Employment Law Issues (9:V)"

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A provincially regulated employee might file a complaint against an employer at the Employment Standards Branch, the Human Rights Tribunal, or  with WorkSafe. The ''Employment Standards Act'', the ''Human Rights Code'', and the ''Workers Compensation Act'' each contain provisions which prohibit retaliation for filing complaints.   
A provincially regulated employee might file a complaint against an employer at the Employment Standards Branch, the Human Rights Tribunal, or  with WorkSafe. The ''Employment Standards Act'', the ''Human Rights Code'', and the ''Workers Compensation Act'' each contain provisions which prohibit retaliation for filing complaints.   


==== a) Employment Standards Act ====
=== 4. Employment Standards Act ===


An employer may not threaten, terminate, suspend, discipline, penalize, intimidate, or coerce an employee because the employee filed a complaint under the ''ESA'' (s 83). If this does happen, the Employment Standards Branch may order that the employer comply with the section,  cease doing the act, pay reasonable expenses, hire or reinstate the employee and pay lost wages, or pay compensation (s 79). A complaint may be filed with the Employment Standards Branch.  
An employer may not threaten, terminate, suspend, discipline, penalize, intimidate, or coerce an employee because the employee filed a complaint under the ''ESA'' (s 83). If this does happen, the Employment Standards Branch may order that the employer comply with the section,  cease doing the act, pay reasonable expenses, hire or reinstate the employee and pay lost wages, or pay compensation (s 79). A complaint may be filed with the Employment Standards Branch.  


==== b) Human Rights Code ====
=== 5. Human Rights Code ===


A person must not evict, discharge, suspend, expel, intimidate, coerce, impose any pecuniary or other penalty on, deny a right or benefit to  or otherwise discriminate against a person because that person complains or is named in a complaint, gives evidence or otherwise assists in a complaint or other proceeding under this Code (s 43). If a person is discriminated against in such a manner, they may file a complaint at the  Human Rights Tribunal in the same way that they would complain about any other discriminatory practice; see [[BC Human Rights Code (6:III)#C. The Complaint Process | Chapter 6: Human Rights, Section III.C: The Complaint Process]].  
A person must not evict, discharge, suspend, expel, intimidate, coerce, impose any pecuniary or other penalty on, deny a right or benefit to  or otherwise discriminate against a person because that person complains or is named in a complaint, gives evidence or otherwise assists in a complaint or other proceeding under this Code (s 43). If a person is discriminated against in such a manner, they may file a complaint at the  Human Rights Tribunal in the same way that they would complain about any other discriminatory practice; see [[BC Human Rights Code (6:III)#C. The Complaint Process | Chapter 6: Human Rights, Section III.C: The Complaint Process]].  


==== c) Workers Compensation Act ====
==== a) Workers Compensation Act ====


Employers and unions must not take or threaten discriminatory action against a worker for taking various actions in regards to the Act, such  as reporting unsafe working conditions to a WorkSafe officer (s 151). Remedies include the ability to reinstate the worker to their job (s 153). Additional details are set out in the ''Workers Compensation Act'', Division 6 – Prohibition Against Discriminatory Action. To file a complaint, see the [http://www.worksafebc.com/workers/improving_health_and_safety_at_work/discriminatory_action_complaints/default.asp WorkSafeBC website]
Employers and unions must not take or threaten discriminatory action against a worker for taking various actions in regards to the Act, such  as reporting unsafe working conditions to a WorkSafe officer (s 151). Remedies include the ability to reinstate the worker to their job (s 153). Additional details are set out in the ''Workers Compensation Act'', Division 6 – Prohibition Against Discriminatory Action. To file a complaint, see the [http://www.worksafebc.com/workers/improving_health_and_safety_at_work/discriminatory_action_complaints/default.asp WorkSafeBC website]


==== d) Common Law Issues/Internal Complaints ====
==== b) Common Law Issues/Internal Complaints ====


An employee may face retaliation for bringing an internal complaint, possible through a formal complaint process outlined in an employment policy. If the employer retaliates against the employee in a significant manner, this could constitute a constructive dismissal. In addition, if the employer dismisses the employee following a legitimate complaint, this may form grounds for an aggravated damages claim.  
An employee may face retaliation for bringing an internal complaint, possible through a formal complaint process outlined in an employment policy. If the employer retaliates against the employee in a significant manner, this could constitute a constructive dismissal. In addition, if the employer dismisses the employee following a legitimate complaint, this may form grounds for an aggravated damages claim.


=== 4. Employees’ Privacy ===
=== 4. Employees’ Privacy ===