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Why Workplace Pregnancy Loss Policies Must Include Abortion
Many workplace pregnancy loss policies reference miscarriage and stillbirth but leave out abortion. This omission creates stigma, confusion, and harm. Here’s why inclusive policies matter—and how employers can take action.

Rika Sawatsky
14 hours ago2 min read


Context Matters: Rethinking Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
A recent HRTO decision found certain acts weren’t sexual harassment when viewed in isolation. But context reveals otherwise. Here’s why workplace harassment programs must focus on patterns, power, and control—not just individual incidents.

Rika Sawatsky
6 days ago2 min read


Debunking the Top 5 Myths About Pay Transparency and the Gender Wage Gap
Employers often assume pay transparency laws aren’t needed—but common myths reveal why gaps persist. Here are the top 5 misconceptions about pay transparency and the gender wage gap, and how data can help fix them.

Rika Sawatsky
Sep 232 min read


Equal Pay Day: Why Legal Compliance Isn’t Enough
Equal Pay Day reminds us that closing the wage gap requires more than compliance with the law. From “greedy jobs” to systemic inequities, true progress comes from embedding fairness and flexibility into workplace design.

Rika Sawatsky
Sep 182 min read


Upwards Harassment: The Overlooked Gap in Workplace Policies
Workplace harassment isn’t always top-down. A recent BC Human Rights Tribunal case shows how leaders can face harassment from subordinates—and how employers fail when they don’t take these complaints seriously. Here’s why upwards harassment matters, and what organizations must do to address it.

Rika Sawatsky
Sep 172 min read


Return-to-Office (RTO) Mandates Aren’t Gender Neutral
Return-to-office (RTO) mandates aren’t gender neutral. Claudia Goldin’s research shows that inflexibility widens the gender wage gap—and the impacts extend to gender-diverse employees, caregivers, and workers with disabilities. Here’s how Participatory Gender Audits (PGAs) can help employers catch issues early and protect equity, retention, and compliance.

Rika Sawatsky
Aug 282 min read


Misgendering and Deadnaming as Workplace Harassment in Canada
Misgendering and deadnaming aren’t just harmful—they’re recognized as workplace harassment under Canadian human rights law. Recent tribunal decisions confirm that this behaviour can amount to discrimination on the grounds of sex, gender identity, and/or gender expression. Here’s what that means for employers, HR professionals, and colleagues—and how to respond if mistakes happen.

Rika Sawatsky
Aug 213 min read


Breast/Chestfeeding at Work: What Employers and HR Need to Know
Supporting employees who breastfeed or chestfeed isn’t just a legal requirement—it’s a key part of building inclusive, equitable workplaces. This post breaks down the legal landscape in Canada, best practices for HR, and practical steps employers can take to create truly breast/chestfeeding-friendly environments.

Rika Sawatsky
Aug 73 min read


BC Human Rights Tribunal Links Domestic Violence to Sex, Gender, and Marital Status in Interim Decision
The BC Human Rights Tribunal has confirmed a connection between domestic violence and the protected grounds of sex, gender, and marital status under the Human Rights Code. In The Worker v Translink Security Management Ltd, the Tribunal denied an employer’s bid to dismiss a complaint, underscoring employers’ duty to consider domestic violence in accommodation and disciplinary decisions.

Rika Sawatsky
Aug 53 min read


Return-to-Office (RTO) Mandates Are Quietly Widening the Gender Gap
Return-to-office mandates are widening the gender gap by disproportionately impacting working mothers who face childcare challenges and wage penalties. Without thoughtful flexibility and ongoing monitoring, these policies risk deepening workplace inequities. Learn why flexibility is essential and how employers can assess and mitigate the impact of RTO mandates on gender equity.

Rika Sawatsky
Jul 212 min read


Defining "domestic violence" in your workplace violence policy & program
Ontario’s OHSA requires employers to protect workers from domestic violence at work—but most policies don’t define what that means. This post explores how employers can interpret and apply the law using guidance from experts, government policy, and legislation across Canada. Understanding the full scope of domestic violence is key to creating safer workplaces.

Rika Sawatsky
May 95 min read


Is Your Employment Contract Enforceable? 4 Contract Defects to Know
Many employment contracts contain termination clauses that won’t stand up in court. In this post, I break down four key reasons a contract may be unenforceable—including violations of employment standards, unconscionable terms, lack of consideration, and major changes to your role over time. Understanding these legal principles can help you make informed decisions and protect your rights at work.

Rika Sawatsky
May 92 min read


Ontario’s New Pay Transparency Laws: What’s Changing, What Isn’t, and What You Can Do
Ontario’s new pay transparency laws come into effect in 2026. In this post, I unpack what’s changing—from AI disclosures to Canadian experience rules—and how job seekers can navigate the gaps, protect themselves in hiring, and what's the status in other provinces. Whether you're applying to jobs, reviewing offers, or helping shape workplace policy, here’s what to know.

Rika Sawatsky
May 23 min read


Free Employment Contract Review for Low-Wage Workers
Each month, I offer five free contract reviews for workers offered less than a living wage. This pro bono service helps you understand your rights, spot red flags, and make confident decisions—no income documentation required.

Rika Sawatsky
May 12 min read


Pay transparency laws in Canada: what they say and how to use them
Pay transparency laws in Canada are evolving—but they aren’t always as strong as they seem. In this post, I break down where pay transparency laws stand across the country, how they impact salary negotiations and job postings, and what legal protections you might have when talking about pay at work.

Rika Sawatsky
Apr 252 min read


What happens in a workplace gender audit?
Learn what a workplace gender audit involves—from planning to reporting—using an ILO-certified model grounded in equity, safety, and legal insight.

Rika Sawatsky
Apr 232 min read


Illegal wage deductions
This week's video series goes over wage deductions—specifically, the limits imposed by the Employment Standards Act, 2000 and the common law.

Rika Sawatsky
Apr 171 min read


Spot the illegal non-compete, ctd!
Continuing last week's theme of illegal non-competes, this week's video series looks at non-competes in jurisdictions that have not banned them from employment contracts. There are still strict rules around enforceability.

Rika Sawatsky
Apr 111 min read


Spot the illegal non-compete!
The theme for this week's videos was how to spot the illegal non-compete in your employment agreement (often hiding as a non-solicit).

Rika Sawatsky
Apr 41 min read


April 2025 pro bono availability: free employment contract review based on living wage
A new month means another 5 spots are opened up for my pro bono service for anyone offered less than a living wage.

Rika Sawatsky
Apr 11 min read
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