Employment and labour lawyers from Sherrard Kuzz LLP will lead a half-day information session on the implications of cannabis legalizations and workplace policy next Wednesday, December 5th in Owen Sound.
On October 17th, 2018, the federal government made it legal for individuals 18 years of age and older (19 years of age in Ontario) to buy, possess and consume cannabis from regulated retail outlets. This sweeping policy change calls on provinces, municipalities, school boards, boards of health, employers and consumers to understand the health and safety implications of legalization for constituents, businesses, workplaces, families, young people, and communities.
“This training is important for managers who have a responsibility for recognizing safety risks in the workplace”, says Barb Fedy, Director of Grey County Social Services. Fedy adds, “with the new cannabis regulations this fall, policies are necessary to support this work. Supervisors need the knowledge to effectively manage situations when they observe employees who are not working safely while at the same time, employees need to understand their obligations and rights within the new legislation as well.”
Under the Canadian Human Rights Act, employers have the obligation to accommodate to the point of undue hardship an employee who has identified as having a disease, injury or disability, including substance dependence and medical authorizations to use cannabis for medical purposes. The information session will address the significance of medical vs. recreational use of cannabis, how to accommodate the use of medical cannabis in the workplace and when the duty to accommodate is engaged by a substance use disorder.
The information session will be held on Wednesday, December 5th, 2018 from 8:30am-12:00pm at Stone Tree Golf and Fitness Club in Owen Sound. A registration fee of $50 includes catered breakfast. Advanced registration is required. Contact Alison Govier, Coordinator of the Community Drug and Alcohol Strategy, [email protected], 519-372-7880 or visit www.cmhagb.org.
source: media release, Community Drug and Alcohol Strategy
