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  • HR Heartbeat: $9.5 million in sexual misconduct settlements, employee theft and…

HR Heartbeat: $9.5 million in sexual misconduct settlements, employee theft and…

Get your weekly roundup of workplace insights & analysis from Raj Singh, CEO of BrightHR Canada

First published on Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Last updated on Wednesday, May 14, 2025

6 min read

Welcome to HR Heartbeat, where we take a look at the week’s most pressing HR and employment law stories. With over a decade of experience working within the HR and employment law industry, I give my opinion on current trends impacting your business, as well as my own personal commentary on all things HR and legal.

Ignoring sexual misconduct in the workplace could cost you millions

The City of Leduc is learning the hard way what the cost of ignoring workplace sexual misconduct is. They’ve agreed to a $9.5 million class-action settlement involving serious allegations spanning two decades.

Over 150 women—many former employees of the city, including firefighters will receive compensation ranging from $10,000 to $285,000.

This is a historic case, sparked by two brave former firefighters, and it marks Canada’s highest per-person compensation in a workplace misconduct settlement.

The mayor also put out a public apology and affirmed their commitment to enforcing real change through efforts like mandatory training, a new Code of Conduct, psychological safety initiatives and a stronger Respect in the Workplace Policy.

I think this case serves as an important reminder to employers to constantly review and update their workplace policies and training practices. Overlooking toxic workplace culture isn’t only risky, it can be incredibly costly. And cases of sexual harassment are more than just a legal liability, they erode trust, morale and your employees’ sense of safety.

 

You may need to keep a closer eye on employee expenses…

In a lesson on why it’s important to closely monitor your employees spending on the company card, SaskPower is in the hot seat after two employees were caught misusing corporate cards, racking up nearly $27,000 in unauthorized purchases.

One former employee used a fuel and procurement card to spend over $23K on personal buys, while another spent $3K + before being placed on leave.

No matter how it’s framed, this is theft: And perhaps carelessness on leadership’s part. An internal audit flagged serious control gaps, and management is now scrambling to tighten processes, boost monitoring, and implement corrective actions.

This isn’t just a bad PR moment for the company but a wake-up call for all employers that strong internal controls are non-negotiable.

From background checks to clear policies and routine audits, workplace theft prevention needs more than crossed fingers. You need to create a culture of accountability where employees know the rules, feel safe reporting concerns, and understand that misuse comes with real consequences.

 

Heads up, Ontario employers—Bill 2 could shake up your hiring game in a big way

The Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act, 2025 aims to make it easier for certified workers from other provinces to hit the ground running in Ontario. No extra hoops, no added red tape, they’ll be able to work here for up to six months without re-certifying.

If passed, this means faster access to skilled talent from across Canada. Regulatory bodies would have just 10 business days to acknowledge certification applications and 30 calendar days to make a decision. That’s a big shift for HR teams and business owners alike.

So, what should you do next? Start planning how to:

  • Verify provisional certifications

  • Track compliance during the six-month window

  • Adjust recruitment strategies to tap into this broader talent pool

This could be a game-changer for industries battling labour shortages but only if your onboarding processes are ready. More flexibility brings more responsibility so make sure your systems are set up to keep pace.

And that’s a wrap from me. Tune in next time for my take on the latest headlines and employment law stories, helping keep your business ahead!

 


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