Blowing The Whistle: The OSC Proposes Canada's First Whistleblower Program

On February 3, 2015, the Ontario Securities Commission (the “OSC”) issued a Consultation Paper1 seeking input on a proposed Whistleblower Program (the “Program”). The Program follows similar approaches previously adopted by the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission and the Canada Revenue Agency, and is designed to encourage reporting to the OSC of misconduct or possible breaches of Ontario securities law. Reporting will be encouraged through whistleblower protection and financial incentives of up to $1.5 million. […]

By | February 10th, 2015 ||

United States: Healthcare Employer Lands In Patient-Privacy Predicament

Healthcare providers are required by law to maintain the privacy of most patient information, and there are good business reasons for medical practices to protect patients’ personal information. In a recent case, a medical practice group found itself unwittingly having to disclose what it considered to be private information of its patients in order to defend a lawsuit brought by former employees. Peace v. Premier Primary Care Physicians, S.C.

Overtime Pay and Retaliation Claims
Wendy Vera […]

By | February 9th, 2015 ||

United States: What To Expect When Your Male Employee Is Expecting: Massachusetts Replaces Maternity Leave Act With Parental Leave Act

Effective April 7, 2015, the Massachusetts Maternity Leave Act will be replaced by the Parental Leave Act (“PLA”). The new law expands the scope of the Maternity Leave Act by extending parental leave rights to men.

The new law requires employers to provide both women and men with time off “for the purpose of giving birth” or adopting a child. While the new statute does not define how the phrase “giving birth” applies to men, […]

By | February 9th, 2015 ||