Donald B. Jarvis
Partner
Executive Summary
Donald joined the Firm as an associate in 1990 and has been a partner since 1994.
Donald’s practice involves representing management in all areas of labour relations, human rights and employment law, including acting as spokesperson at collective bargaining negotiations. He regularly represents both public sector and private sector employers before labour boards, arbitration boards, the courts and numerous employment-related administrative tribunals. He has been certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada as a Specialist in Labour Law since 1998.
Donald regularly authors articles and presents on labour and employment law matters to employer groups and labour law practitioners.
Donald is a Past Chair (2003–2004) and Past Executive Member (2000–2005) of the Ontario Bar Association’s Labour Relations Section. He also served on the Board of Directors of The Advocates’ Society (2009–2012) and was a Board Member of COTA – Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Mental Health Services (1990–1994), later serving on COTA’s Administrative & Financial Committee (1994–2000).
Law Society of Ontario, Certified Specialist in Labour Law since 1998
The Advocates’ Society
Ontario Bar Association, Member of the Labour Relations, Administrative Law, and Workers’ Compensation Sections
Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers (CACE)
The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers (USA)
Systemic Sex Discrimination, Police Association of Ontario 30th Annual Police Employment Conference, March 1, 2021
Canada Labour Code: Quick Reference – 2019 Edition, Thomson Reuters (Co-author)
The Law of Industrial Conflict, The Osgoode Certificate in Labour Law – 2018 (Faculty)
Major Caselaw & Legislative Update, Lancaster House Annual Human Rights and Accommodation Conference – April 2018 (Presenter)
Human Resources Guide to Discipline and Termination of Employment, 3rd Edition, Thomson Reuters, 2018 (Co-author)
The Law of Industrial Conflict, The Osgoode Certificate in Labour Law – 2017, 2016, 2015 (Faculty)
Best Practices for Investigating Allegations of Workplace Harassment and Bullying, Police Association of Ontario – Annual Police Employment Conference – March 2015
It’s Complicated: The Relationship Between Workplace Violence and Mental Health, The Six-Minute Labour Lawyer (Law Society of Upper Canada) – June 2015
The Law of Industrial Conflict, The Osgoode Certificate in Labour Law – 2014 (Faculty)
Major Case Law Legislative Update, Lancaster House – Annual Human Rights and Accommodation Conference – April 2014
The Law of Industrial Conflict, The Osgoode Certificate in Labour Law – 2013 (Faculty)
Unlocking Keays: The Latest on Bad Faith Damages in Wrongful Dismissal Actions, FWTA Annual Seminar – June 2013
Surveillance, Privacy and Social Media Issues at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal: The Employer’s Perspective, Current Issues in Workplace Safety and Insurance Law (OBA Professional Development) – May 2013
Working Rules: Employment Law Update, The Advocates’ Society Fall Convention – November 2012
Jumping the Gun: Law and Procedure Related to Illegal Strike Activity, The Osgoode Certificate in Labour Law – February 2012
HR Manager’s Guide to Discipline and Termination (Second Edition), Thomson Carswell, 2010
Is Wallace Dead? The Keays to the Mystery: Damages in Wrongful Dismissal Revisited, FWTA Annual Seminar – June 2009
New Legal Developments in the Unionized Workplace, Centre for Labour-Management Development – February 2008
The Departed: Damages in Wrongful Dismissal Actions – Terminate Now, Pay Later?, FWTA Annual Seminar – June 2007
The Law of Dismissal in Ontario: A General Overview, Employment Law Conference 2007 – NAPP Canada – March 2007
Leisureworld Revisited, Labour Relations Section Newsletter (OBA) – January 2007
New Legal Developments in the Unionized Workplace (Ontario Labour Arbitration Update), Centre for Labour-Management Development – December 2006
Frivolous Wallace Claims May Hurt Otherwise Successful Plaintiffs, Labour Relations Section Newsletter (OBA) – May 2006
Poor Performers: Seven Steps to Managing Struggling Employees, HR Professional Magazine – June/July 2005
Labour Law Update: The Ever-Expanding Scope of Aribtral Jurisdiction & Privacy in the Unionized Workplace, HRPAO Annual Conference – February 2005
HR Manager’s Guide to Employee Discipline and Discharge, Thomson Carswell – January 2005
Illness and Disability in the Unionized Workplace, Centre for Labour-Management Development – November 2004
The Big Bang: The Ever-Expanding Universe of Arbitral Jurisdiction, FWTA Annual Seminar – June 2004
Criminal Misconduct In and Out of the Workplace, Ontario Municipal Human Resources Association Spring Conference – April 2004
Selected Issues in Workplace Investigations, CBAO-CLE – November 2003
The Year’s Top Ontario Labour Arbitration Awards, Centre for Labour-Management Development – November 2003
Avoiding the Pitfall of Constructive Dismissal, Insight – April 2003
Accommodating Physical Disabilities, Canadian Institute – April 2003
The Year’s Top Ontario Labour Arbitration Awards, Centre for Labour-Management Development – November 2002
Secondary Picketing: Anywhere, Anytime?, FWTA Annual Seminar – June 2002
New Obligations for Employers and Employees Under Privacy Legislation, Insight – March 2002
The Year’s Top Ontario Labour Arbitration Awards, Centre for Labour-Management Development – November 2001
The Effect of Criminal Convictions at Labour Arbitration: The Ontario Court of Appeal Narrows the Scope for Re-Litigation, Labour Relations Section Newsletter (OBA) – November 2001
Employment Standards Act, 2000: Changes to the Standard Work Week, Overtime, Statutory Holidays and Direct Deposit of Wages, Insight – September 2001
Managing Workplace Stress Claims: Legal Obligations and Practical Strategies for Employers, Canadian Institute – June 2001
Last Chance Agreements: Still Alive and Well?, Labour Relations Section Newsletter (OBA) – June 2001
Last Chance Agreements: Still Alive and Well?, CBAO-CLE – April 2001
Dealing with the Criminal Employe, HRPAO Annual Conference – February 2001
Defining and Documenting Emergency Leave Under the New Employment Standards Act, Insight – February 2001
Litigating Insurance Entitlement Claims: The Final Word?, Labour Relations Section Newsletter (OBA) – January 2001
Investigation of Applicants and Employees: Balancing the Privacy and Human Rights of the Worker Against the Employer’s Right to Know, Canadian Institute – November 2000
The Year’s Top 15 Arbitration Awards, Centre for Labour-Management Development – October 2000
Discharge for Absenteeism – The Special Case, Lorman – September 2000
The Criminal Employee: Conducting Disciplinary Investigations in the Context of Criminal Activity, FW&T Annual Seminar – June 2000
Disability and Accommodation Management: What Are Your New Responsibilities?, Infonex – April 2000
Confidentiality Issues in the Workplace, Lorman – April 2000
The Labour Law Year in Review, Centre for Labour-Management Development – October 1999
Managing Employee Absenteeism, Illness and Disability in the Next Millennium, Infonex – July 1999
Legal Implications of Mental Health and Stress Issues in the Workplace: An Update, Canadian Institute – June 1999
Hiring Policies, Practices & Techniques, Insight – June 1999
High Performance Grievance Strategies, Centre for Labour-Management Development – May 1999
The Labour Law Year in Review, Centre for Labour-Management Development – October 1998
Practical Strategies for Managing the Duty to Accommodate: A Review of Employee Absenteeism & Disability, Pregnancy & Parental Leave & Employee Religious Beliefs, Infonex – October 1998
The 1998 Ontario Law and the Workplace Conference, Centre for Labour-Management Development – October 1998
Dealing with Employee Absenteeism and Return-to-Work in the Complex Legal Environment of the 1990’s, Lorman – September 1998
Practice and Procedure Before the New Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal, FW&T Annual Seminar – June 1998
Practice and Procedure Before the New Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal, Infonex – June 1998
Managing Absenteeism in the Unionized Workplace, Centre for Labour-Management Development – April 1998
Practical Principles for Managing Absenteeism in the Unionized Workplace, Infonex – March 1998
Illness and Disability Management in the Workplace: Legal Overview and Practical Strategies for the Employer, Infonex – January 1998
Managing Absenteeism in the Unionized Workplace, Centre for Labour-Management Development – December 1997
Reform of Workers’ Compensation Appeals Tribunal, Infonex – December, June and April 1997
How to Deal With The Different Workers’ Compensation Acts That Will Now be in Effect, Infonex – June and April 1997
Illness & Disability in the Workplace: Management Strategies for the Employer, Infonex – January 1997
Is There a Future For Tripartite Boards? A Management Viewpoint, Labour Arbitration Yearbook, 1996-1997, Toronto: Lancaster House and Butterworths – 1996
Sale of a Business and Other Restructuring Issues in a Unionized Environment, Infonex – March 1996
Transition Issues Arising out of Bill 7, Insight – December 1995
Illness & Disability in the Workplace: Management Strategies for the Employer, Infonex – November 1995
Sexual Harassment in the Federal Sector, Infonex – October 1995
Independent Contractor or Employee: Distinguishing Between the Two in the Federal Sector, Infonex – October 1995
Dealing with Employee Absenteeism in the Complex Legal Environment of the 1990s, FW&T Annual Seminar – June 1995
The Strike Replacement Worker Provisions of the Ontario Labour Relations Act, Regional Municipalities Association – May 1995
Managing Employee Absenteeism in Today’s Human Rights Environment, Infonex – May 1995
Sexual Harassment in the Federal Sector, Infonex – November 1994
Independent Contractor or Employee: Distinguishing Between the Two in the Federal Sector, Infonex – November 1994
Injunctions in Labour Matters, National Judicial Institute – Ontario Court of Justice – May 1994
Managing Stress and Chronic Pain Disability Claims under the Workers’ Compensation Act, WF&W Annual Seminar – June 1993
Employment Equity: Directions for Ontario and in the Federal Sector, WF&W Annual Seminar – June 1992
Labour Dispute Injunctions in Ontario: Still Alive in the 90s, The Advocates’ Quarterly, Vol. 13, No. 4 – April 1992
Disclosure of Information under the Occupational Health and Safety Act: What, if anything, Remains Confidential?, Insight – January 1992
Current Developments in Wrongful Dismissal, WF&W Annual Seminar – June 1991
The Evolution of Pay Equity: What Lies Ahead, WF&W Annual Seminar – June 1990
Firm News
Dalhousie University, Bachelor of Laws
Queen’s University, Bachelor of Arts
Call to the Bar, Ontario – 1988