Workplace

Overview

Workplace law is dynamic, nuanced and increasingly complex. The Aird & Berlis Workplace Law Group provides the strategic legal guidance employers need to ensure compliance, manage risk and stay ahead of regulatory change.

Employers today face a growing web of legal obligations, from evolving employment standards and human rights legislation to complex labour relations and workplace safety requirements. In this fast-changing environment, proactive legal guidance is not just helpful – it’s essential.

Our Workplace Law Group delivers strategic, practical advice across the full spectrum of employment, labour and occupational health and safety law. Our team works closely with clients to manage risk, resolve disputes and ensure compliance, whether navigating day-to-day HR matters or advising on high-stakes corporate transactions. We serve a diverse client base across industries in both the public and private sectors, including infrastructure, transportation, supply chain, automotive, financial services, sports and entertainment, manufacturing, retail and the gig economy. Our group also regularly advises First Nations and Métis communities, municipal governments and organizations within the broader public sector.

Our lawyers are trusted advocates before courts and tribunals across Canada and are widely respected for their practical, strategic guidance on complex workplace issues. The team is consistently ranked in leading legal directories such as Chambers Canada, The Best Lawyers in Canada, The Legal Canada 500 and The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory. They have also been recognized by readers of Canadian HR Reporter as one of the country’s top full-service law firms in Employment & Labour Law, and by readers of Canadian Occupational Safety magazine as one of the best OHS legal service providers in Canada. Their national recognition for excellence reflects a deep commitment to helping employers navigate challenges with confidence and clarity. 

The Aird & Berlis Workplace Law Group delivers strategic, practical solutions tailored to today’s complex workplace challenges. Trusted by clients across industries and sectors, we help employers stay compliant, manage risk and build resilient, forward-looking workplaces. 

Representative Matters:

• Provides ongoing legal advice to PepsiCo Canada, a multinational food, snack and beverage corporation, on its general labour and employment matters.
• Acted as Canadian counsel for the PWHPA and PWHLPA and assisted with negotiations of the CBA towards the launch of a new professional women’s hockey league in North America.
• Represents Interfor Corporation in labour and employment matters relating to their lumber and processing mills in four locations across Northern Ontario.
• Advises The Stevens Company on employment law policy and procedure, and legislation compliance.
• Provides ongoing labour and employment advice to Xerox Canada, including advising on human rights complaints, employment standards, wrongful and constructive dismissal, employment agreement drafting, disability issues and workplace accommodation.
• Acts as labour counsel and in an executive director capacity to the Canadian Men’s National Soccer Team and their players association, the CMNSTPA.
• Provides ongoing legal counsel to Lear Corporation Canada regarding its Ontario production facilities, including employment law matters such as human rights complaints, dismissals, workplace accommodations, and union-related issues such as collective bargaining, grievance arbitration, strike-related injunctions and facility transitions.
• Advises Evonik Corporation on labour grievances and unionized employee matters, cross-Canada employment policies and procedures, wrongful and constructive dismissal, employment standards, human rights issues and the drafting of employment agreements.
• Advises various First Nations and Métis entities on labour and employment matters. 
• Advises various municipalities on general labour and employment matters, including human rights complaints, employment standards, wrongful and constructive dismissal, employment agreement drafting, collective agreements, collective bargaining, disability issues and workplace accommodation.
• Acted on behalf of Steam Whistle before the Ontario Labour Relations board in respect of an application for certification filed by the Service Employees International Union, Local 2.
• Advises and represents First Brands Group in respect of executive employment matters, including significant wrongful dismissal matters before the Ontario courts, employment law policy and procedure, employment agreement drafting and compliance with legislation.
• Advises MHI Canada Aerospace on human rights, wrongful and constructive dismissal, policy and procedure, employment agreement drafting, legislation compliance and creation of strategy regarding terminations and hiring.
• Advises Medline on employment law policy and procedure, and compliance with legislation.
• Advises Black & McDonald on wrongful dismissal, employment relations, employment standards and human resources policies, and provides representation in respect of employment benefits and insurance matters.
• Advises and represents Multy Home in respect of private arbitration (and before the Ontario Labour Relations Board), in respect of all grievances filed pursuant to its collective agreement.