Women’s equality in the workplace continues to be a major issue in most Canadian workplaces, and we know that the fight for women’s equality is far from over. Equal female representation at senior management levels, equal impact in connection with senior leadership decisions, parity in compensation, and sexual harassment in the workplace are just a few of the ongoing legal issues women face in the workplace today.
Who are we?
We are a female founded and owned employment law firm in Toronto. We understand women’s legal issues not just from a legal perspective, but also from a woman’s perspective. We have worked with countless women in fighting gender discrimination and sexual harassment issues in the workplace.
Rights Regarding Maternity Leave
As a female employment lawyer in Toronto, I often hear from clients about being let go during or after taking a maternity leave. These terminations are often illegal because employers have a legal duty to reinstate the employee to her job if it still exists, or to a comparable one if it no longer exists. If you have been terminated, replaced, sidelined or suffered any adverse treatment on account of a pregnancy or parental leave, speak with one of our Toronto employment lawyers about your rights, remedies and options.
Equal Pay
Many companies tout themselves on being diverse and gender inclusive workplaces; however, the buck does not stop there.
Money is power and true equality does not exist unless and until women are on equal pay footing as men. According to the Ontario Pay Equity Office, in 2020, women earned 27% less than their male counterparts (based on median annual earnings), and the gap is even larger for racialized women.
If you are a female who is being paid less than your male counterpart(s) who is performing the same work or work of equal value, contact us to find out if you have a case and how we can help.
Discrimination Due to Family Status (Caregiving Obligations)
Women have traditionally assumed the primary caregiving responsibilities for children or for aging parents. These responsibilities can interfere with one’s ability to attend work or to meet certain deliverables.
It is important to know that employers have a legal duty to reasonably accommodate one’s significant caregiving needs to the point of undue hardship. This can mean a requirement for the employer to implement flexible scheduling, granting leaves of absence when needed, adjusting certain deliverables or deadlines, modifying duties or other work modifications in a manner that would enable the employee to meaningfully participate at work, without suffering a disadvantage or penalty on account of having to attend to their caregiving obligations.
Employers cannot discriminate in hiring, promotion, training, benefits, workplace conditions, or terminate one’s employment because s/he is caring for a child or parent.
Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Sexual harassment is any conduct of a sexual nature that is unwelcome or that one ought to know is unwelcome.
Sexual harassment includes but is not limited to sexual touching, leering, jokes, innuendo, sexual commentary, and other types of unwelcome sexualized behaviour or contact.
Sexual harassment is an abuse of power, very often occurring by men who are in positions of power or authority. Many women feel forced to resign as a result of sexual harassment or have suffered retaliation for having raised sexual harassment issues in the workplace. Sexual harassment has corrosive effects not just for the person being victimized, but also for other women who have to work in an environment in which women are being subjected to sexual harassment.
If you are or have been in this situation, you have rights, and you have options – regardless of how long ago the harassment took place. Speak with one of our employment lawyers today.
Why choose JPAK?
At JPAK, we practice what we preach. We are a female dominant firm and firmly believe in women supporting women and that includes working with other highly competent female service providers, suppliers, employees and building out a network of female professionals who support and empower each other.