Charles Hurdon practises employment and labour law exclusively, advising and representing employers in both federal and provincial jurisdictions. He has extensive experience in representing and advising employers in matters relating to executive employment agreements, executive compensation and executive terminations. Mr. Hurdon regularly appears before grievance arbitrators, labour boards, other administrative tribunals and the courts.
Other areas of practice include occupational health and safety, where he assists employers in developing health and safety programs and provides advice and representation in prosecutions under the Canada Labour Code and the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Mr. Hurdon is Ottawa Chair of our employment and labour law group.
Speaking engagements
ˇ "The 2011 Ontario Labour Law Review," Accommodation and Human Rights Update, Centre for Labour-Management Development, Ottawa, November 18, 2011.
ˇ "Health and Safety Conference" (chair), Lancaster House, Toronto, October 12, 2011.
ˇ "Accommodation Update," The 2011 Accommodation Law Conference, Centre for Labour-Management Development, Ottawa, March 9, 2011.
ˇ "Cross Canada Employment Law Check Up - Ontario," CACE 7th Annual Conference, Vancouver, September 25, 2010.
ˇ "Executive Compensation - Trends and Best Practices," OCRI 45th Circuit, May 4, 2010.
ˇ "Accommodating mental disabilities: Emerging trends; Using the grievance process to resolve accommodation disputes; Expert witnesses: Maximizing their role in accommodation cases; Getting the most from healthcare professionals," The 2010 Accommodation Law Conference, Centre for Labour-Management Development, Ottawa, February 24 and 25, 2010.
ˇ "Evidentiary, My Dear Watson," Proving your case in 2010, new rules and all" (panellist), Employment Law Panel, Montebello Conference, 29th Civil Litigation Updated 2009 conference, Chateau Montebello, QC, November 20-21, 2009.
ˇ "Workplace Violence and Harassment: Preparing for Ontario's New Legislation (Bill 168)," Lancaster House, Regional Workshop, Ottawa, November 12, 2009.
ˇ "Golden Parachutes in a Downturn: Challenges When Dismissing Senior Executives," Employee Terminations Restructuring, Insight, Ottawa, September 22, 2009.
ˇ "Damages in Wrongful Dismissal Claims Since Honda v. Keays," CACE 6th Annual Conference, Chicago, September 12, 2009.
Rankings and recognitions
ˇ International Law Office (ILO) Client Choice Awards 2012, Employment and Labour, Canada
ˇ Best Lawyers in Canada, 2012 - Labour and Employment Law
ˇ Lexpert / American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada - Repeatedly recommended for Employment Law
Memberships and activities
ˇ Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers (CACE)
ˇ Lecturer at the Faculty of Law of the University of Ottawa, Western University and Algonquin College
Directorships
ˇ Member of the Board of Directors of a local not-for-profit charitable organization
Related Publications
Employers' Obligations at Federal Election Time
Under the Canada Elections Act, every employee who is qualified to vote has the right to three consecutive hours to vote while the polls are open (see below for poll hours by time zone).
28/04/2011
Canadian Human Rights Tribunal expands the duty to accommodate parental obligations
The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (the Tribunal) recently issued a series of decisions that affects how employers must consider issues relating to allegations of discrimination based on family status. Following these decisions, employers are under greater obligation to consult and potentially
13/01/2011
Independent contractors count towards health and safety committee threshold
The Ontario Court of Appeal recently released its decision in Ontario (Labour) v. United Independent Operators Limited. This decision is important for Ontario employers that retain independent contractors, as such employers may now have to establish joint health and safety committees
14/03/2011
The criminal aspect of a breach of duty to not endanger employee health and safety
On September 27, 2010, Justice Denis Lavergne of the Court of Quebec found that a business owner was guilty of criminal negligence causing death after a backhoe he was driving fatally struck an employee.
24/02/2011
Ball firmly in employee court when filing Employment Standards Act claims
Employers in Ontario may see a reduction in the number of claims filed with the Ministry of Labour (MOL) alleging that they have breached the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA). Effective January 19, 2011, new guidelines are in place to address recent ESA amendments that now require employees to
10/02/2011
Inappropriate Facebook Use Leads to Termination of Employees
As Facebook's popularity continues to grow, so too do the consequences of its misuse by employees. This is highlighted by two recent arbitral decisions in which terminations were upheld on the basis of content posted on Facebook by employees while off-duty.
13/01/2011
The limits of employer free speech during union campaigns in Canada
For an employer that has successfully operated union-free, the prospect of its workplace becoming unionized is often confusing and frustrating.
02/07/2010
Employment contracts need to be given due consideration
Any valid contract, including an employment contract, requires the parties to give each other something in exchange for entering into the agreement. In legal terms, the parties must give each other
03/05/2005
Related News
Norton Rose Group wins International Law Office 2012 Client Choice Award
Norton Rose Group is the winner of the International Law Office's (ILO) 2012 Client Choice Award in the international category.
23/02/2012
Don't panic, prepare
Charles Hurdon tells the National Post that companies need to develop policies to prepare for outbreaks of a disease.
19/05/2009
Taking a broader view
Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations require that assessments be carried out, says Charles Hurdon in OHS Canada magazine.
01/09/2009
Surviving layoffs
The best support law firms can give companies in managing layoff survivors is to assist them with communication strategies, says Charles Hurdon in Lawyers Weekly.
19/06/2009