Carol VandenHoek is a Labour and Employment lawyer and Partner in the Guelph office of Miller Thomson. Carol's practice focuses on employment law and litigation matters including estate litigation. Carol has successfully appeared on various matters before the Ontario Court of Justice (Family), the Superior Court of Justice, and the Court of Appeal. Carol acted as outside Counsel for the local Children's Aid Society for approximately 14 years handling numerous trial and appeal matters.
Carol attended law school at the University of Toronto prior to which she obtained her Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto. Carol joined the firm upon her call to the bar in 1996. In 2009, she completed her LL.M. in Labour Relations and Employment Law.
Carol handles a variety of employment matters including wrongful terminations, human rights, employment standards and occupational health and safety. Carol conducts workplace harassment and discrimination investigations for employers. In addition, Carol is a trained mediator having obtained her certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution from York University. She also has specialized training in adult guardianship mediation.
Directorships
· Director, Elora Festival 2005 - 2008
· Past President, Wellington Law Association
· Director, Guelph Arts Council, 2003 - 2005
· Secretary/Director, Wellington-Dufferin Learning Foundation, 1999-2003
· Director, Hospice Wellington, 1997 - 2001
Memberships
· Member of Council, Ontario Bar Association & Canadian Bar Association
· Committee Member, Legal Aid Ontario Hamilton-Kitchener District Area Appeals
· Member, Guelph Chamber of Commerce
· Member, Ontario Agri Business Association
Presentations
· Pastors, People and Protection - Employment Law Issues in Church Settings for FEB Central, Cambridge June and October 2011
· Compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), The Canadian Institute's Forum on the Duty to Accommodate, April 2011
· Employment Law Lunch and Learn, Guelph Chamber of Commerce, March 2011
· Cyber Challenges, Grand Valley HRPA, February 2011
· Managing Employment Risks and Protecting the Organization, National Conference Canadian Society of Club Managers, October 2010
· New Rules on Civil Procedure: What Every HR Professional Should Know, Osgoode Professional Development, April 2010
Areas of Focus
· Wrongful Dismissal
· Workplace Harassment Investigations
· Estate Litigation Disputes
News
August 25, 2009, Guelph, Carol VandenHoek has been quoted in an article in the Canadian Lawyer Magazine on the employee repayment clause.
Events
March 28, 2012, London, Miller Thomson hosts the Environmental Law Update, "Responding to Inspections and Incident Investigation," on March 28th at Cambridge City Hall.
October 20, 2011, Wellington, Carol VandenHoek speaks on employment issues related to hiring and termination at the Canadian Association of Farm Advisors (CAFA) Wellington County Chapter.
June 7, 2011, Kitchener-Waterloo, Robert Hayhoe, Carol VandenHoek and Sheldon Wood speak on issues affecting churches at a seminar entitled "Pastors - People - Protection" on June 7 in Cambridge.
May 3, 2011, Toronto, Carol VandenHoek speaks on employment law issues at RBC's small business client seminar.
April 1, 2011, Toronto, Carol VandenHoek speaks on "Compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)" at The Canadian Institute's Forum on The Duty to Accommodate.
February 17, 2011, Kitchener-Waterloo, RESCHEDULED: Southwestern Ontario's Labour and Employment groups presents a breakfast seminar in Waterloo, "Update 2011: A Review of Important Labour and Employment Law Developments in 2010" on February 17, 2011.
January 28, 2011, Guelph, Carol VandenHoek and Bruce McMeekin speak on occupational health and safety issues at the Canadian Farm Builders Association Annual Conference in Guelph.
January 19, 2011, Guelph, Southwestern Ontario's Labour and Employment groups presents a breakfast seminar in Guelph, "Update 2011: A Review of Important Labour and Employment Law Developments in 2010" on January 19, 2011.
November 3, 2010 - November 9, 2010, Hot Topic: Managing Disability in the Workplace
February 25, 2010, Holiday Inn - Cambridge, Carol VandenHoek is chairing a panel regarding cyber-challenges in employment law for the Human Resrouces Professional Association Grand Valley Chapter on February 25, 2010.
June 2, 2009, Kitchener-Waterloo, Miller Thomson's Labour and Employment Group will host "Managing the Workplace in Challenging Times: Some Creative Solutions" in Waterloo on June 2
May 28, 2009, London, Miller Thomson's Labour and Employment Group will host "Managing the Workplace in Challenging Times: Some Creative Solutions" in London on May 28
May 26, 2009, Guelph, Miller Thomson's Labour and Employment Group will host "Managing the Workplace in Challenging Times: Some Creative Solutions" in Guelph on May 26
Publications
July 16, 2010, Availability of Tort Claims in Employment Actions Restricted by Ontario Court of Appeal Ruling, Labour and Employment Communiqué
The Ontario Court of Appeal has ruled, in a decision dated May 28, 2010, that an employer cannot be sued in tort for negligent infliction of mental distress. The ruling reversed the 2008 trial decision of Ontario Superior Court...
August 17, 2009, Employment Contract Requiring Departing Employee to Repay for Training and Other Penalties Enforceable, Labour and Employment Communiqué