NOTE: Join us at our new location this year!
Guest speaker: J.D. Sharp, Partner, Emond Harnden LLP
The use of cannabis for medical purposes continues to increase across Canada and employers have competing obligations when it comes to the risks associated with impairment in the workplace. While employers have a duty to accommodate employees who have a legitimate need to use cannabis for medical purposes, they also have a duty to ensure employees are safe at work.
From a Risk Management point of view, it is important to keep abreast of legal issues affecting the workplace with respect to cannabis use, but it is often difficult to find the time to remain current on these competing issues.
Our guest speaker, Mr. J.D. Sharp, will provide key information on the following topics of discussion:
- Who’s using cannabis and why
- The impairing effects of cannabis
- Drug use and fitness for duty
- Employers’ obligations with respect to accommodation and safety
- Dealing with potential substance use or abuse problems through workplace policies
More on our guest speaker:
J.D. is a firm believer in management rights and his practice is devoted to supporting employers in effectively managing the human resources side of their organizations. He provides strategic advice, representation and counsel regarding labour, employment, human rights, health & safety and other employment-related areas of the law.
J.D. acts as counsel to both public and private sector clients, including municipalities, hospitals, post-secondary educational institutions and manufacturers.
J.D. practices mainly in the areas of labour and employment law with a particular emphasis on advocacy and litigation. In addition to providing counsel in various rights arbitrations and Labour Relations Board proceedings, he advises and represents employers on matters of labour and employment, WSIB and health and safety matters, human rights and collective bargaining and all matters related to human resources law. He also assists clients with handling strike and lockout situations in addition to injunctions.
J.D. has undertaken some independent research on the topic of cannabis use in an effort to better inform his advice to clients and to make him more tolerable to his spouse.
RIBO credit requested