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Pa ge 2 4 T hu rs da y, D ec em be r 1 8, 2 01 4 - T he IF P - H al to n H ill s - w w w .th ei fp .c a What is just cause? ASK THE PROFESSIONAL Your employment contract will likely include provisions for a variety of scenarios by which your employment may come to an end. The one that jumps out might be the part that says you can be fired without notice if there is just cause. Rest assured, this is difficult for an employer to substantiate. In assessing just cause, the courts will need to balance the degree of the misconduct with the severity of being firedwithout reasonable notice or pay in lieu of. An employer can assert a variety of misconduct as the basis for a termination without cause (for example, dishonesty, breach of trust, insubordination, etc.) but the specific facts of each case might result in a ruling that the employee's conduct did not in fact reach the threshold. Courts are alert to the unequal bargaining power of an employer and an employee, as well as the sense of value and self-worth that comes from employment. As such, they are unwilling to allow employers to fire employees without notice too easily. So if you're let go and your boss says it's for just cause, be sure to talk to a lawyer. 33 Main Street South Acton, ON L7J 1X3 Tel: 519-853-1330 Fax: 519-853-4645 Email: macchap@on.aibn.com Mark Hilliard Mackenzie & Chapman Barristers and Solicitors The advice offered in this column is intended for informational purposes only. Use of this column is not intended to replace or substitute any professional, financial, medical, legal, or other professional advice. We work for you. legal matters Q A EMPLOYMENT LAW 2015 OUTDOOR HOUSE LEAGUE SOCCER REGISTRATIONMARK YOUR CALENDAR! Online early bird registration for the 2015 outdoor houseOnline early bird registration for the 2015 outdoor house league season available the last week in January and first week in February on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration begins Saturday, January 24th. Don't miss out! Visit website for details and to register! www.georgetownsoccerclub.com MARKYOUR CALENDAR! 2015 OUTDOOR HOUSE LEAGUE SOCCER REGISTRATION Sexual aSSault & Violence interVention SerViceS (SaViS) of Halton • free anti-violence presentations to businesses/associations/schools • free confidential counselling • free 24-hour support line - anyone may call: 905.875.1555 905.825.3622 • Toll free: 877.268.8416 • www.savisofhalton.org BUSINESS As an example of synergistic partnerships between business and philanthropy, Commu- nication Associates, a local marketing and com- munications firm and Chamber of Commerce member, has teamed with: • a local business, SayIT First Inc., to support First Nation communities • a   local NGO, Welcome Home Children's Centre supporting orphans in Haiti • a local non-profit, Chance to Play fostering youth soccer worldwide Eric Doubt, president and Creative Director of Communication Associates said, "networking for strategic opportunities can create quick and simple ways to get needed services and materi- als to those who can benefit the most." A retailer, who wished to remain anonymous, offered to donate a large supply of end-of-line clothing for all ages to Doubt, who then con- tacted Georgetown residents Camille and Sam Otum, founders of an orphanage in Cabaret, Haiti. They brought their W e l c o m e Home Chil- dren's Centre volunteers to the Haitian town for pub- lic distribu- tion of sum- mer clothes. Additional winter stock was offered to anoth- er Georgetown resident, Mike Parkkhill, founder of the native language revitalization project, Say- ITFirst Inc., who delivered boxes of warm gear to First Nation leaders in New Brunswick for distri- bution to community groups and families.   Georgetown's Anita Bergsma, founder of A Chance to Play, which empowers children worldwide through soccer playing, contacted Doubt to offer donated soccer equipment and uniforms to Haiti. Doubt, who has worked and volun- teered in Haiti since 2006, connected with Pazapa, a Canadian- founded school for children with spe- cial needs in Jacmel, Haiti, and will be de- livering the sports gift early in 2015. Bergsma also received a supply of donated protective medical wear, which Doubt is trans- ferring to Parkhill for distribution to First Na- tion clinics in New Brunswick and Ontario this month. Many individuals involved in business are looking for ways to help-- and many non-profits are searching for sources of support for their beneficiaries. Through volunteering, network- ing and involvement in community, natural partnerships can develop by simply commu- nicating one's availability and resources personally, across social networks and through the media. Keeping kids and families clothed, warm, healthy and active at home and abroad was a result of this awareness and the synergy explored by local business and philan- thropy working together. When shopping locally, also remember that giving locally goes a long way-- as far as Eel Ground First Na- tion (N.B.), Africa and Haiti. Can you imagine more possibilities? For further information and to partner, con- tact: • Anita Bergsma, A Chance to Play chancetoplay@outlook.com   416-270-9127 www.chancetoplay.ca • Mike Parkhill, SayITFirst, Inc. mikepark@sayitfirst.ca 905-867-8929  www.sayitfirst.ca • Camille Otum, Welcome Home Children's Centre camille.otum@welcomechildren.org   416 - 648-0040 www.welcomechildren.org • Eric Doubt, Communication Associates eric@commassoc.ca 905-510-0401  www.commassoc.ca Halton Hills businesses team with local non-profits to provide aid Eric Doubt with Martine in Haiti. Anita Bergsma, founder, Chance to Play  Mike Parkhill, founder, SayITFirst, at native leaders conference, Saskatoon. Camille Otum, founder, Welcome Home Children's Centre, at construc- tion site, Haiti.