BC’s Gender Pay Gap, Wrongful Dismissals, Toxic Workplace Warning Signs and More
Each quarter, Spraggs Law publishes a curated selection of articles about trending HR and employment-related topics. This quarter, we cover what a recent report reveals about British Columbia’s significant gender pay gap, recent wrongful dismissal allegations and examples, BC small business concerns ahead of the provincial election, and red flags for potential employees to watch for during the interview process that may indicate a toxic workplace culture.
Uncovering BC’s Significant Gender Pay Gap
Pay inequality in Canada’s tech sector
A recent study reveals a concerning trend: the gender pay gap in Canada’s tech sector has nearly tripled between 2016 and 2021. On average, female tech workers earn almost $20,000 less than their male counterparts. Research also highlights disparities among visible minority and Indigenous tech workers.
BC’s significant gender pay gap stretches across industries
In addition, a recent article by CTV New Vancouver highlights what a report (primarily based on Statistics Canada) reveals about BC’s significant gender pay gap, where women earned 83 cents for every dollar men made in 2023. The report also emphasizes disparities among Indigenous, racialized, disabled, and LGBTQ2S+ and reveals that pay equality has improved by only a slight 1% in 2023 compared to 2022.
The provincial government’s efforts to enforce pay equality through transparency
The BC government aims to address pay equity with the newly implemented Pay Transparency Act, which became law on May 11, 2023. The act requires employers to disclose pay ranges in job postings and share pay transparency reports. To help British Columbia employers comply with the new pay transparency rules, the province launched a free Pay Transparency Reporting Tool, which HRReporter details in its June 06 article.
Recent Wrongful Dismissal Allegations and Examples
Puzzling jumps in pay raise questions
This recent article by Delta Optimist unveils a substantial pay raise received by a former City of Delta employee, as disclosed in the city financial report. The article discusses the progressive jumps in the employee’s remuneration over the tenure of his employment before his termination this year. The employee has since taken legal action and is seeking 700K in damages for what he claims was wrongful dismissal and defamation.
The cost of retaliation
A former Canadian environmental officer wrongfully terminated after raising safety concerns at work wins a multi-year case. The ruling exposes a toxic workplace environment and raises questions about the motivations behind firing. The officer is awarded back pay and offered her job back. The case begs crucial questions about workplace safety, harassment, and fair treatment of employees while shedding light on the importance of addressing workplace harassment and retaliation.
Court rules in favour of well-written employment agreement
The BC Court of Appeal ruled that a clear and unambiguous termination clause in an employment contract can override the presumption of common law reasonable notice in wrongful dismissal cases. In Egan v. Harbour Air Seaplanes LLP, the court found the termination clause, which aligned with the Canada Labour Code, enforceable. This decision underscores the importance of precise contract language in employment agreements, especially concerning termination provisions.
BC Small Business Community’s Collective Concerns
Speaking up for small businesses in BC
BC small businesses are gearing up for the provincial election by compiling a list of key concerns, focusing on issues such as crime, rising costs, and taxes. The Business Improvement Areas of BC (BIABC) is leading this effort to challenge political parties with concrete policy demands to support the economic viability of small and medium-sized businesses.
Is the Workplace You’re Applying to Toxic?
Toxic workplace red flags job seekers shouldn’t ignore
The anticipation of accepting a new opportunity can sometimes cloud our judgement and cause us to miss important cues that could indicate the workplace we may be about to enter could spell trouble for our mental health and well-being. Before accepting a job offer, it is important to look out for toxic workplace warning signs to avoid potential issues in the future. This article by Tri-City News outlines potential red flags to watch for during the application and interview process.
Do You Have HR or Employment Law Related Questions?
If you have questions about human resources and employment law for our team at Spraggs Law, we’d love to hear from you. Call (604) 359 1613, contact us online, or reach out to Spraggs Advisory Group for more information about our HR consulting services.
Please note: This article does not contain legal advice. If you would like advice on your specific situation, please contact Spraggs Law.
