Barry Kuretzky
Partner
Professional & Community Affiliations
Member
Canadian Bar Association
Recognition
Named, The Best Lawyers in Canada©
2006-2025
Recipient, Continuing Legal Education Long-Term Achievement Award
Law Society of Upper Canada
Named, Leading Practitioners
Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory
1997-2024 (27 consecutive years)
News, Analysis & Press
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30): What Is it and Where in Canada Is it Observed as a Statutory Holiday?
ASAP
September 25, 2024
Three Littler Partners Recognized in the 2025 Edition of the Best Lawyers in Canada™
August 29, 2024
Treasury Board promises retroactive payments with pay equity plans
Human Resources Director Canada
August 21, 2024
Canada: SCC Decision Offers Potential Insight into Privacy Rights for Private-Sector Employees
ASAP
August 8, 2024
Canada: Another Arbitrator Considers Interaction Between Canada Labour Code Leave Entitlements and Other Leave Entitlements
ASAP
April 15, 2024
Employers can count sick leave credits as paid medical leave days under CLC: arbitrator
Human Resources Director Canada
March 6, 2024
Effective January 1, 2024, Employers in British Columbia, Canada Have Duties to Cooperate and to Maintain Employment Regarding Certain Workplace Injuries
ASAP
January 30, 2024
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30): What Is it and Where in Canada Is it Observed as a Statutory Holiday?
ASAP
December 13, 2023
Ontario, Canada: Amending Regulation Supports Bill 79’s Changes to ESA’s Mass Termination Provisions
ASAP
November 22, 2023
Wrongful dismissal claim ends in Superior Court slap-down – Ontario judge tells employer to pay up
Human Resources Director Canada
November 9, 2023
British Columbia Pay Transparency Regulation Provides Information on Preparing Pay Transparency Reports
Insight
November 7, 2023
Ontario, Canada Court Orders Employer to Pay Costs to Discourage Tactical Litigation that Deters Employees from Pursuing Their Rights
ASAP
November 3, 2023
Court upholds refusal to impose constructive trust in appeals case
Human Resources Director Canada
October 4, 2023
British Columbia Court Finds Employer Had Just Cause to Dismiss Full-time Employee Who Worked on Side Business During Working Hours
ASAP
October 4, 2023
Ontario, Canada Appeal Court Upholds Refusal to Impose Constructive Trust Over Proceeds of Sale of Property Owned by Defrauding Employee’s Wife
ASAP
September 21, 2023
Littler’s Barry Kuretzky and George J.A. Vassos Named to The Best Lawyers in Canada™ 2024 Edition
September 20, 2023
Canada adds exemptions from hours of work requirements for certain employees
Human Resources Director Canada
September 14, 2023
Canada Adds Exemptions from Hours of Work Requirements for Certain Employees in Banking, Telecommunications and Broadcasting, Rail, and Airline Sectors
ASAP
August 29, 2023
Termination clause enforceable in complying with statutory individual notice provisions
Human Resources Director Canada
July 25, 2023
British Columbia Court Finds Termination Clause Enforceable Because it Complied with Statutory Individual Termination Notice Provisions
Insight
July 10, 2023
Tribunal confirms time theft proven by time-tracking software may justify employment termination
Human Resources Director Canada
June 21, 2023
Arbitrator upholds reasonableness of hospital vaccination policy for termination of non-compliant
Human Resources Director Canada
June 16, 2023
Ontario, Canada Arbitrator Upholds Reasonableness of Hospital Vaccination Policy Providing for Employment Termination of Non-Compliant Employees
ASAP
June 7, 2023
Ontario, Canada Court Awards Employee $15,000 in Moral Damages for Employer’s Bad-Faith Conduct Regarding His Dismissal
ASAP
June 2, 2023
British Columbia Tribunal Confirms Time Theft Proven by Time-Tracking Software May Justify Employment Termination for Cause
ASAP
May 30, 2023
Ontario, Canada Appeal Court Shows Importance of Proper Assessment of Employees’ Entitlement to LTD Benefits When on Leave or Disabled
Insight
May 16, 2023
Ontario, Canada: Paid Infectious Disease Emergency Leave (IDEL) Ends March 31 But Unpaid IDEL Remains Available
ASAP
March 27, 2023
Ontario, Canada Proposes ESA Amendments Relating to Remote Workers and New Hires
ASAP
March 15, 2023
Canada: First Deadline for Compliance with Accessibility Legislation for Federally Regulated Employees Is Around the Corner
ASAP
March 15, 2023
Ontario, Canada Court Finds Employment Contract Frustrated by Employee’s Refusal to Become Vaccinated Against COVID-19
Insight
March 14, 2023
Canada’s Competition Bureau Publishes Draft Guidelines for Enforcement of New “Wage-Fixing Agreement” and “No-poach Agreement” Prohibitions
Insight
January 24, 2023
Ontario, Canada Court Addresses Statutory Tort of Human Trafficking in Labour Context
Insight
January 17, 2023
Ontario, Canada: Appellate Court Set Aside Decisions that Quashed OLRB Determinations on “Related Employers” Declarations for Failure to Apply Proper Standard
Insight
November 30, 2022
Ontario, Canada Divisional Court Finds Group Home’s Temporary Visitation Policy During Early Stage of COVID-19 Did Not Discriminate Against Disabled Resident
Insight
November 10, 2022
BC Court: Employee May Be Placed on Unpaid Leave for Violating COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
SHRM Online
November 9, 2022
Ontario, Canada Introduces Bill Prohibiting Strike by School Board Employees Represented by CUPE
ASAP
November 3, 2022
Canada Proposes Two CLC Regulations on Service of Documents, Regular Rate of Wages, and Reimbursement of Reasonable Work-Related Expenses
ASAP
October 18, 2022
British Columbia Court Finds Employer May Place Employee on Unpaid Leave for Failing to Comply with its Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
Insight
October 7, 2022
Ontario, Canada Arbitrator Deems Termination of LTD Coverage for Employees at Age 65 a “Reasonable Limit” Under Canadian Charter of Rights
Insight
October 3, 2022
Ontario, Canada Court Decides Employment Contract’s Unenforceable Confidentiality and Conflict-of-Interest Clauses Invalidated All Termination Provisions
Insight
August 25, 2022
Littler’s Barry Kuretzky and George J.A. Vassos Recognized in 2023 Edition of Best Lawyers in Canada™
August 25, 2022
British Columbia Tribunal Finds Employer that Unilaterally Removed Employee on Maternity Leave from Management Position Liable for Discrimination and Constructive Dismissal
Insight
August 22, 2022
Court rules employee resigned – wasn't dismissed – over mask policy compliance
Human Resources Director Canada
July 29, 2022
Canada: Alberta Court Finds Employee Resigned and Was Not Constructively Dismissed When He Did Not Comply with Mask Policy
Insight
July 27, 2022
Ontario, Canada: ESA Guidance Now Contains Chapter on Electronic Monitoring Policies
Insight
July 21, 2022
Court decides non-competition clause in employment agreement is unenforceable
Human Resources Director Canada
July 7, 2022
Arbitrator says employer can terminate employee who refused vaccine
Human Resources Director Canada
July 5, 2022
Canada Suspends Mandatory Vaccines for Most Travel, Federally Regulated Transportation Workers, and Federal Government Employees
ASAP
June 24, 2022
Ontario, Canada Appeal Court Decides Non-competition Clause in Employment Agreement Governed by Common Law is Unenforceable
Insight
May 31, 2022
Ontario, Canada: Appeal Court Declines to Resolve Whether Employees Laid Off During Pandemic May Claim Constructive Dismissal at Common Law
Insight
May 18, 2022
Alberta, Canada Human Rights Tribunal Reminds Employees They Have Duties in the Workplace Accommodation Process
ASAP
May 6, 2022
Key trends in arbitration awards pertaining to mandatory vaccines
Human Resources Director Canada
April 27, 2022
Canada: Key Trends in Arbitration Awards Pertaining to Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policies
Insight
April 27, 2022
British Columbia, Canada: Arbitrator Decides Employer Could Terminate Employee Who Refused Government-Ordered Vaccination
Insight
April 13, 2022
British Columbia, Canada Court Awards Employee Aggravated Damages After Employer Makes Unfounded Allegations after Commencement of Litigation
ASAP
March 30, 2022
Ontario, Canada: Another Arbitration Decision Upholds Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
Insight
March 25, 2022
British Columbia, Canada Court Decides CERB Payment Should be Deducted from Damage Award for Wrongful Dismissal
ASAP
March 22, 2022
Surreptitious Recording of Conversations with Colleagues May Justify Termination of Employment for Cause in British Columbia, Canada
Insight
March 22, 2022
Working for Workers Act, 2022, introduced and carried at first reading
Human Resources Director Canada
March 18, 2022
Ontario, Canada Court Concludes Secondment Agreement Was Not a Fixed-term Employment Agreement
Insight
March 8, 2022
Ontario, Canada: Working for Workers Act, 2022 Introduced and Carried at First Reading
Insight
March 2, 2022
Ontario, Canada to Introduce Legislation Requiring Employers to Disclose Electronic Monitoring of Workers
ASAP
February 24, 2022
Canadian Arbitrator Upholds Mandatory Vaccination Policy for Employees Who Work Indoors
Insight
February 17, 2022
Ontario plans to lift capacity limits and proof of vaccination requirements
Human Resources Director Canada
February 16, 2022
Ontario, Canada Announces Plan to Lift Capacity Limits and Proof of Vaccination Requirements
ASAP
February 16, 2022
Phased Easing of Public Health Measures in Ontario, Canada to Begin January 31, 2022
ASAP
January 21, 2022
12 key developments in Canadian labour and employment law in 2021 – part 2
Human Resources Director Canada
January 18, 2022
Canada: Bill C-3 Will Provide Paid Medical Leave and Other Leaves for Federal Employees and Prohibit Intimidation in Health Care
Insight
January 12, 2022
Ontario, Canada Temporarily Reverts to Step Two of Roadmap to Reopen with Modifications
ASAP
January 4, 2022
Ontario, Canada: Bill 27, Working for Workers Act, 2021 Receives Royal Assent
Insight
December 3, 2021
Arbitrator upholds mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy
Human Resources Director Canada
November 26, 2021
Ontario, Canada: Arbitration Award Considers Issues Pertaining to “Vaccinate or Test” Policies
Insight
November 18, 2021
Ontario, Canada Arbitrator Deems Employer’s Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy Unreasonable
Insight
November 16, 2021
Ontario, Canada Court Ends Injunction Staying Termination of Unvaccinated Employees under Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy on Jurisdictional Grounds
Insight
November 10, 2021
Ontario, Canada Announces Phased Plan to Lift Remaining Public Health and Workplace Safety Measures by March 2022
ASAP
October 25, 2021
With-cause dismissal of long-term fiduciary employee justified
Human Resources Director Canada
October 12, 2021
Ontario, Canada Court Finds With-Cause Dismissal of Long-term Fiduciary Employee Justified
Insight
October 6, 2021
Court overturns decision on Workplace Safety and Insurance Act
Human Resources Director Canada
September 29, 2021
Ontario issues guidance on proof of vaccination status for organizations
Human Resources Director Canada
September 24, 2021
Ontario, Canada: Divisional Court Overturns Decision Holding That Workplace Safety and Insurance Act Barred Constructive Dismissal Claim
ASAP
September 22, 2021
Ontario, Canada Issues Guidance on Proof of Vaccination Status for Patrons of Restaurants and Other Select Businesses and Organizations
Insight
September 20, 2021
Canada Announces COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Employees in Federal Public Service and Federally Regulated Transportation Sector
ASAP
August 24, 2021
Ontario, Canada: New COVID-19 Guidelines Released for Fully Immunized and Previously Positive Individuals
Insight
August 18, 2021
Canada's Federal Pay Equity Act Takes Effect on August 31, 2021
Human Resources Director Canada
August 6, 2021
Ontario, Canada Arbitrator Upholds Employer’s Compulsory Rapid COVID-19 Testing Policy
Insight
July 14, 2021
Liability for Severance Pay Depends on Company Payroll Size
Human Resources Director Canada
July 9, 2021
Ontario, Canada Court of Appeal Clarifies Relationship Between Common Employer Doctrine and Concept of Corporate Separateness
Insight
July 8, 2021
Ontario, Canada Court Reduces Reasonable Notice Period Due to the Employee’s Failure to Take Reasonable Steps to Mitigate Damages
Insight
June 28, 2021
Ontario, Canada Court Decides Employer’s Liability for Severance Depends on Size of its Global Payroll
ASAP
June 28, 2021
Alberta Court of Appeal Confirms Complainants Need Not Prove Reasonable Efforts to Self-accommodate to Establish Family Status Discrimination
Insight
June 24, 2021
British Columbia, Canada Court Deducts CERB From Employee’s Damages for Wrongful Dismissal
ASAP
June 9, 2021
Court Finds Worker 'Repudiated' Role When She Walked Out
Human Resources Director Canada
May 20, 2021
Ontario, Canada Court Reminds Employers it is Important to Adhere to Their Contracts’ Termination Provisions
Insight
May 17, 2021
Ontario, Canada Court Finds Employee Repudiated Her Employment Contract When She Refused to Work Unless New Conditions Were Met
Insight
May 13, 2021
Ontario, Canada: New Business Requirement Regarding Temporary Mask Removal to Eat or Drink at Work
ASAP
April 27, 2021
Ontario, Canada Exploring Possibility of Allowing Employer-Operated Onsite Vaccination Clinics in “Hot Spot” Communities
ASAP
April 15, 2021
Ontario, Canada Court Decides Exceptional Circumstances Exist to Justify Notice Period Exceeding 24 Months for a Long-term Employee
ASAP
April 14, 2021
Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, Canada Provides Employers with Roadmap for Responding to Requests for Exemptions from Mask-Wearing Policies
Insight
April 8, 2021
Canada: Ontario Superior Court Holds Labour Arbitrator Has Exclusive Jurisdiction to Resolve Dispute Relating to Workplace Violence and Harassment
Insight
March 29, 2021
Ontario, Canada Superior Court Deems Employee's Pregnancy an Important Factor in Assessing Reasonable Notice Period for Dismissal
ASAP
March 25, 2021
Ontario, Canada: Court of Appeal Upholds $1.27 Million Damage Award for Constructive Dismissal
Insight
February 8, 2021
Ontario, Canada: Arbitrator Upholds For-Cause Dismissal of Employee with COVID-19 Who Put Colleagues and Others at Risk
ASAP
January 5, 2021
British Columbia, Canada: Recent Human Rights Tribunal Decisions Apply Stringent Test for Family Status Discrimination
Insight
January 5, 2021
Canada: British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal Recommends Employers Faced with Family Status Discrimination Complaints Confer with Employees to Determine if Mutually Satisfactory Solution Available
ASAP
November 16, 2020
Masks must be worn in indoor area of businesses premises and in vehicles
Human Resources Director
October 13, 2020
Ontario, Canada: Masks Must be Worn in Indoor Area of Business Premises and in Vehicles Operating as Part of Business
ASAP
October 8, 2020
Employers must screen workers and essential visitors for COVID-19
Human Resources Director
October 5, 2020
Ontario, Canada: Employers Must Screen Workers and Essential Visitors for COVID-19
ASAP
September 30, 2020
Saskatchewan, Canada: Court of Appeal Affirms Moral Damages Award Due to Untruthful Employee Termination
Insight
September 30, 2020
Ontario, Canada: What are an Employer’s Rights When an Employee Asks to Delay Their Vacation Due to COVID-19?
Insight
September 24, 2020
New 'false light' privacy tort and how it might impact employers
Canadian Employment Law Today
September 22, 2020
Ontario, Canada: Court Considers Employee’s Entitlement to Commissions “Booked and Billed” after Termination but During Reasonable Notice Period
Insight
September 21, 2020
Two Littler LLP Partners Named to 2021 Best Lawyers™ List
August 28, 2020
Canada: How Should Employers Respond to Employees Who Have Childcare Obligations During COVID-19?
Insight
August 20, 2020
Bill 195 and the End of COVID-19 Declared Emergency Leave in Ontario, Canada: What it Means for Temporary Layoffs and Deemed Leave
ASAP
August 18, 2020
Canadian Federal Government Announces Proposed Changes to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
ASAP
July 22, 2020
Canada’s Safe Restart Program Will Provide Workers 10 Job-protected Paid Sick Days Related to COVID-19
ASAP
July 20, 2020
Federal government releases regulations on harassment and violence training
Canadian Lawyer
July 7, 2020
Canada: New Work Place Harassment and Violence Prevention Regulations for Federally-Regulated Work Places Come into Force January 1, 2021
ASAP
June 29, 2020
Bill C-17 Proposes Changes to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
ASAP
June 11, 2020
COVID-19 and Work Refusals as Canada Reopens: Legal and Practical Considerations
Insight
June 10, 2020
Government of Ontario, Canada Issues New Regulation Favourable to Employers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
ASAP
June 2, 2020
Canada: COVID-19 and Recalling Employees Back to Work from a Temporary Layoff
Insight
April 27, 2020
Canada: Temporary Changes Made to Canada Summer Jobs program in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
ASAP
April 15, 2020
Ontario, Canada: At Critical Moment in Fight to Stop Spread of COVID-19, Government Narrows List of Essential Businesses
ASAP
April 4, 2020
Ontario, Canada: Government Enacts Job-Protected Leave in Response to COVID-19 Crisis
ASAP
March 22, 2020
A patchwork of family status accommodation requirements
Canadian Employment Law Today
March 11, 2020
Canada: Federal Court of Appeal Affirms Federally Regulated Employees Can Make Unjust Dismissal Complaints after Signing Releases
Insight
February 25, 2020
Ontario, Canada: New “False Light” Privacy Tort and How It Might Impact Employers
Insight
February 13, 2020
Deal or no Deal? Ontario, Canada Court Determines Employer and Employees Agreed to Settlement Absent Written Contract
ASAP
December 19, 2019
CANADA: How Can Employers Mitigate Liability for Incidents Related to Alcohol or Cannabis Consumption at Holiday Parties?
ASAP
December 2, 2019
Canadian Employers Must Navigate a Patchwork of Family Status Accommodation Requirements
Insight
October 18, 2019
The Legal Landscape for Canadian Employers One Year after Legalization of Cannabis
Insight
October 2, 2019
Canada: Federally Regulated Employees Can Make Unjust Dismissal Complaints Even After Signing Releases and Settlement Agreements
Insight
September 6, 2019
Ontario, Canada Companies Beware: Class Action Lawsuits Alleging Worker Misclassification Are on the Rise
Insight
March 4, 2019
Ontario, Canada: Legislative Changes in Bill 36 Seek to Make Cannabis a Public Issue
Insight
October 1, 2018
Littler LLP Lawyers Named ‘Leading Practitioners’ in 2017 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
June 8, 2017
Ontario Court of Appeal Upholds Moral Damages, Human Rights Damages, and High Legal Cost Award in Wrongful Dismissal Case
ASAP
February 21, 2017
Littler Lawyers Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada 2017
August 26, 2016
Littler Opens Toronto Office
August 4, 2015
Speaker’s Corner: Employee or independent contractor?
Law Times
March 8, 2010
Imposing Fiduciary Duties on Departing Executives
The Canadian Institute’s Advanced Forum on Managing Legal Risks in Employing Executives
June 16 and 17, 2008
The Impact of Privacy Rights on the Workplace
Ontario Bar Association, 7th Annual Current Issues in Employment Law, 2008
March 6, 2008
Privacy in the Workplace
The Law Society of Upper Canada, Special Lectures, 2007 – Employment Law: From Resume to Pink Slip
April 23 and 24, 2007
Books & Book Chapters
- Mediating Employment Law Disputes, (second edition) co-author, 2013
- Human Resources Guide to Workplace Harassment, co-author, 2003
Speaking Engagements
The Coronavirus: What Should Employers Be Doing Now
Toronto, ON
February 6, 2020
2019 Canada Conference
Toronto, ON
November 21, 2019
When the Smoke Clears: Preparing the Workplace for the Legalization of Cannabis in North America
Littler Executive Employer Conference, Phoenix, AZ
May 8, 2019
Transgender Rights in the Workplace: An International Perspective
Littler Executive Employer Conference, Phoenix, AZ
May 8, 2019
Transgender Rights in the Workplace
2018 Canada Conference, Toronto
November 16, 2018
Good-bye 2017, Hello 2018: The Canadian Legal Landscape is Changing
Toronto, ON
February 20, 2018
Second Annual Canada Conference
Toronto, ON
November 1, 2017
Inaugural Canada Conference
Toronto, ON
November 21, 2016
New England’s Neighbor to the North: What Makes Canadian Employment Law Uniquely Canadian?
2016 New England Employer Conference, Burlington, MA
October 13, 2016
Inaugural Brazil Conference - São Paulo
September 14, 2016
Canadian v. U.S. Employment Law: Six Minutes at a Time
The 2016 Executive Employer Conference
May 5, 2016
Conducting Lawful Investigations: An Interactive Program for Internal Investigators
Toronto, ON
November 24, 2015
Developing a Workplace Violence Policy
Federated Press Publications Inc. 8th Annual Preventing Violence & Harassment in the Workplace
October 7-8, 2015
Legal Risk Course
Federated Press Publications Inc. 9th Annual HR Conference
September 24, 2015
Workplace Accommodation
Federated Press Publications Inc. 3rd Annual Disability Claims Management Conference
September 18, 2015
Ageism in Termination
5th Edition Workplace Discipline & Terminations Conference
June 9, 2015
Navigating the Employment Standards Act
Osgoode Professional Development
March 3, 2015
Employment Law/Nonprofit and Charities
Charity Law Seminar
March 2, 2015
Workplace Accommodations
Federated Press Publications Inc. 2nd Disability Claims Management Course
September 19, 2014
Disability
Federated Press Publications Inc. Conference
September 18, 2014
Co-Lecturer
Federated Press Publications Inc. 8th Annual HR Legal Risks Conference
September 12, 2014
Navigating the Employment Standards Act
Osgoode Professional Development
April 9, 2014
Litigating Claims in the Municipal Workplace
The Commons Institute
February 26, 2014
Mediating Terminations, Opening Remarks and Workshop
3rd Discipline and Employment Termination Course
February 14, 2014
Examining Recent Landmark Cases Under A Microscope
8th Edition Disability Management in the Workplace Conference
January 30, 2014
Unusual Cases in Law of Accommodation
Federated Press Publications Inc. 8th Annual Employer’s Duty to Accommodate Course
December 13, 2013
Workplace Accommodation
Federated Press Publications Inc. Disability Claims Management Course
September 27, 2013
Latest Legal Developments Impacting HR Practices: Emerging of Noncompliance
6th HR Legal Risks Course, Co-chair, welcome and opening remarks
September 10, 2013
Navigating the Employment Standards Act
Osgoode Professional Development
July 8, 2013
Education
- LL.B., Queen’s University, 1978
- B.A., University of Toronto, 1973
Courts
- Court of Appeal for Ontario
- Ontario Superior Court