Richard Press

Partner
About

Richard Press practices with the Employment Group and focuses both on advocacy and strategic planning with respect to employment and labour matters, as well as related administrative tribunal work, such as human rights, health and safety, workers compensation and employment standards.

As an advocate, Richard has appeared before provincially and federally appointed arbitrators, the British Columbia courts, the provincial and federal labour boards, and various tribunals.

He is a strong proponent of preventative legal measures. He advises clients in that regard on employment and consultant agreements, employee policies and procedures (governing, among other matters, overtime compensation, discrimination, bullying and harassment, internet and social media, alcohol and drug use, and health and safety), proprietary asset and confidential information protection, compensation and benefit packages, and collective bargaining.

 

EXPERIENCE

Recent representative cases on which Richard Press has acted as counsel:

Summary dismissal of human rights complaint alleging discrimination arising from an harassment investigation (2019)

Summary dismissal of human rights complaint for abuse of process (2018)

Successorship application following sale of company (2018)

Dismissal of judicial review application seeking re-hearing of unfair practice allegation (2018)

Dismissal of unfair practice allegation (2017)

Classification unit assessment appeal (2017)

Dismissal of WorkSafeBC order of unsafe work conditions (2017): Review Board decision, unpublished

Dismissal of discrimination complaint on the basis of refusal to hire for positive marijuana test (2017): Letter decision, unpublished.

Recent operational, corporate and commercial matters on which Richard Press has provided employment and labour advice:

  • Reorganization of the human resources structure for several financial institutions
  • Integration of the employment component of a high technology company following its acquisition
  • Implementation of investigations, including investigations of harassment and bullying
  • Collective bargaining assistance and advice on closure of unionized facilities
  • Implementation of follow-up agreements and managing addictions in the workforce
  • Implementation, “Canadianization” and drafting of policies and procedures
Education
  • LL.B., University of Toronto, 1993
  • B.Sc., McGill University, 1990

Awards

  • Best Lawyers in Canada (Labour and Employment Law), 2017-2024
  • Chambers Canada (Employment & Labour - British Columbia), 2019-2020
  • Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory (Employment Law - Employer), 2021
  • The Legal 500 Canada (Labour and Employment), 2018

Publications

  • Author, “Canada” (Part IV - Americas), Transfer of Business and Acquired Employee Rights: A Practical Guide for Europe and Across the Globe, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2016

Seminars

  • Presenter, “Employing Contractors and Contracting with Employees: Sorting out tax and legal issues in an employment versus contractor relationship”, Professional Development Seminar, Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia, 2016-2019
  • Speaker, 2018 DLA Piper (Canada) LLP Canadian Employment and Labour Law Conference

     
  • Speaker, 2017 DLA Piper (Canada) LLP Canadian Employment and Labour Law Conference

Media Mentions

MEDIA MENTIONS
  • Quoted, "Vaccine-hesitant care-home workers present a major challenge for public-health advocates," The Globe and Mail, January 8, 2021
  • Quoted, "Will governments be able to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for health care workers?" The Globe and Mail, December 18, 2020

 

Memberships And Affiliations

  • Member, Canadian Bar Association (Employment and Labour Subsections)
  • Member, Law Society of British Columbia
  • Past contributing member to the Employment Standards Tribunal Digests

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