Family status is defined as “the status of being in a parent and child relationship.” However, this definition continues to take on new meaning as the nature of families evolves and new rights are recognized. For example, our courts recently recognized child-care obligations as a right to be accommodated.
This aspect of human rights law is emerging as the next battleground in the world of employment law. Employers are seeing a dramatic increase in the number of requests for accommodation. People in a parent-child relationship have a right to equal treatment in the workplace, meaning that discrimination in hiring, promotion, training, benefits, workplace conditions, or termination of employment because a person is caring for a child or parent is in violation of Human Rights legislation. Employers cannot simply dismiss such requests, or they face potential liability. Let MacDonald & Associates shine our expert legal lens on your individual case and help you avoid claims and penalties.