Field Law

A Catch to a Release
Laura Buckingham, May 24, 2013
A signed release provides peace of mind that all disputes are resolved and there will be no further claims, complaints, or legal action. Or does it? Two recent Ontario cases remind us that a signature alone is not a guarantee of an enforceable release. Employers must be careful about the...

Recent Alberta Court of Queen's Bench Decision Finds that Grievance Process Communications are Privileged
Michael Wall, April 19, 2013
A grievance process is designed to promptly resolve workplace disputes by encouraging a frank and open dialogue between the parties. Accordingly, Arbitrators have long held that communications exchanged in the grievance process are privileged and, subject to narrow exceptions, not producible in...

Wright v. College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (Appeals Committee) 2012 ABCA 267
James Casey, April 8, 2013
In the November 6, 2012 edition of Perspectives for the Professions we reported on the decision of the Court of Appeal referenced above. In this case two registered nurses, on numerous occasions, stole narcotics from their employer and falsified narcotic records to cover-up the thefts. When they...