Workplace Law

Our lawyers are dedicated to helping you navigate the complex and ever-changing landscape of workplace law.

We help organizations and individuals resolve employment law issues in a way that minimizes risk to business operations and reputation.

The lawyers in this group all practice business litigation and are very experienced in matters relating to workplace law, such as enforcing non-competition and non-solicitation clauses, managing human rights disputes, and addressing directors and officers’ liability.

Skilled in all aspects of workplace law, our group has experience in virtually every kind of issue that can arise in this broad area of legal practice.

Did you know that Harper Grey publishes the Workplace Law Strategies Blog? Stay current with new case law and emerging issues – read more here.

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Services

  • Drafting employment agreements for new, promoted and temporary employees.
  • Commencing and defending legal actions for breaches of restrictive covenants (including confidentiality, non-competition, and non-solicitation clauses).
  • Providing strategic advice about with and without cause terminations, and temporary layoffs.
  • Addressing allegations of sexual harassment and other misconduct in the workplace.
  • Drafting termination letters, severance packages and retirement packages.
  • Defending complaints at the BC Human Rights Tribunal and the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
  • Representing employers in wrongful dismissal claims.

  • Managing WorkSafeBC matters, including prohibited action complaints.
  • Advising on employment issues in context of transfers and sales of businesses.
  • Drafting and updating employee policies and manuals.
  • Advising on accommodation issues including with respect to employees on disability leave for physical injuries, mental health issues (including alcohol and substance use disorders).
  • Conducting workplace investigations.
  • Assisting with progressive discipline matters.

Practice Group Partners

Kimberly J. Jakeman, KC* Partner
Rose Keith, KC* Partner
Scott J. Marcinkow* Partner
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Typical Situations

A successful account executive leaves her firm to work with a rival company, breaking a non-competition clause in her contract. She then starts moving clients to the rival company. We can assess the situation and commence a legal action against the account executive.

A multinational company buys a Canadian venture with locations throughout British Columbia. We can assist the company to manage the transition of the employees from the seller to the buyer.

A small software development company wants to terminate an employee who has been on disability leave for several months. We can assist the company with determining its options and exposure for proceeding with a termination in these circumstances.

Need a Lawyer?
Get in touch with our workplace law team.

The Latest

Online Harms Act
Online Harms Act Online Harms Act
Company Terminates Employee During a Medical Leave Without Discrimination
Company Terminates Employee During a Medical Leave Without Discrimination Company Terminates Employee During a Medical Leave Without Discrimination
Falsification of Expenses and Just Cause
Falsification of Expenses and Just Cause Falsification of Expenses and Just Cause
Changes to the Canada Labour Code
Changes to the Canada Labour Code
Ontario Court, in Dufault case, strikes down termination without cause section for using the phrases “sole discretion” and “at any time”
Ontario Court, in Dufault case, strikes down termination without cause section for using the phrases “sole discretion” and “at any time” Ontario Court, in Dufault case, strikes down termination without cause section for using the phrases “sole discretion” and “at any time”
Harper Grey Hosts Ask Us Anything Employer Webinar: New Year Refresher – An Employer’s Duty to Accommodate
Harper Grey Hosts Ask Us Anything Employer Webinar: New Year Refresher – An Employer’s Duty to Accommodate
New Obligations under the Workers Compensation Act
New Obligations under the Workers Compensation Act New Obligations under the Workers Compensation Act
Rose Keith, KC publishes Employment Update Column for Winter 2023 Issue of The Verdict
Rose Keith, KC publishes Employment Update Column for Winter 2023 Issue of The Verdict Rose Keith, KC publishes Employment Update Column for Winter 2023 Issue of The Verdict
Harper Grey Hosts Ask Us Anything Employer Webinar: Workplace Law Update – Precedent Setting Cases in 2023
Harper Grey Hosts Ask Us Anything Employer Webinar: Workplace Law Update – Precedent Setting Cases in 2023
Employee failed to mitigate by moving to another town
Employee failed to mitigate by moving to another town Employee failed to mitigate by moving to another town
Termination limited to ESA minimum, plus bonus amount  
Termination limited to ESA minimum, plus bonus amount   Termination limited to ESA minimum, plus bonus amount  
Harassment recognized as a tort in Alberta
Harassment recognized as a tort in Alberta Harassment recognized as a tort in Alberta
Termination for cause due to breach of fiduciary and other implied employment duties
Termination for cause due to breach of fiduciary and other implied employment duties Termination for cause due to breach of fiduciary and other implied employment duties
BC Supreme Court tentatively approves certification of class action against employer for unpaid vacation pay
BC Supreme Court tentatively approves certification of class action against employer for unpaid vacation pay BC Supreme Court tentatively approves certification of class action against employer for unpaid vacation pay
Rose Keith, KC publishes Employment Update Column for Summer 2023 Issue of The Verdict
Rose Keith, KC publishes Employment Update Column for Summer 2023 Issue of The Verdict Rose Keith, KC publishes Employment Update Column for Summer 2023 Issue of The Verdict
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