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Labour & Employment Law Blog

Class Action Lawsuit Brought Against Deloitte

Zeilikman Law

Zeilikman Law

Case Summary

A Toronto lawyer has launched a $384 million class action lawsuit against Deloitte LLP (“Deloitte”). The lawsuit alleges that lawyers who worked at the accounting firm’s document-review division were misclassified as independent contractors, depriving them of basic employee rights. Deloitte is one of the largest audit and financial consulting firms in the world.

The lawsuit further alleges that the lawyers should have been treated as employees because the substance of their relationship with Deloitte was that of an employee rather than an independent contractor. For example, the lawyers worked under the direct supervision of Deloitte, Deloitte provided them with work tools like computers, controlled their work schedules and forbade them from hiring subcontractors. The lawyers were not allowed to work from home and could not negotiate their own wages.

The lawsuit is seeking basic employee rights such as termination pay and a failure to remit statutory deductions, lost employment insurance benefits and punitive damages.

Deloitte may have a very big problem if the above facts can be proved to be true. The court will take a look at the substance of the parties’ relationship and there seems to be a number of factors that point to the strong possibility that despite Deloitte’s classification of these workers as independent contractors, they were indeed employees.

CERTIFICATION MOTION

So what will happen next? Now that the lawsuit has been filed in the Superior Court and served on the defendant, a judge will have to certify the class action. This question will be answered by a certification motion. The purpose of a certification motion is to determine whether there is a legal basis for a class action. If the judge agrees and certifies the class action then it could potentially include hundreds of people because everyone who acted as a lawyer in Deloitte’s document-review division would automatically become a plaintiff. However, there is an option to “opt-out” of the litigation if the potential plaintiff so chooses.

The above article is for general information purposes only, does not constitute legal advice or create a solicitor-client relationship. Because each case is unique and factually driven, if you have concerns with regard to the foregoing issues, please make an appointment with one of our lawyers or a qualified legal practitioner elsewhere. We represent clients in the Greater Toronto Area including Toronto, North York, Markham, Vaughan, Thornhill, Newmarket, Aurora, Brampton, Mississauga, Barrie, Ajax, Whitby, Pickering and Oshawa.

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Legal Receptionist

Zeilikman Law is an employment law firm located in Vaughan, Ontario. We are looking to hire a legal receptionist to join our firm. Preference will be given to candidates who have experience working as a receptionist at another law firm.

Location: Vaughan, Ontario.

Start Date: Immediately.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. Full time. In-person only. This is not a remote work position.

Wages: 35,000 to 40,000 per year.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Manage our firm’s multi-line telephone system to receive incoming calls.  Screen incoming telephone call inquiries to determine the nature of the telephone call and provide standard information related to our legal services.  Take and deliver messages and route incoming telephone calls to the appropriate staff person.
  • Answer general inquiries coming from the firm’s social media and website email.
  • Welcome in-person visitors upon arrival.  Direct visitors to the appropriate staff person and / or office or boardroom.
  • Organize in-person visitor schedule to prevent overlap and multiple bookings.
  • Receive, sort, and distribute daily mail and deliveries.
  • Arrange for couriers.
  • Keep front reception, kitchenette area and boardroom tidy.
  • Perform various clerical duties such as filing, photocopying, and faxing on an as-needed basis.
  • Process client or other payments.
  • May be asked to run minor errands outside of office such as attending post office to arrange a courier or pick up mail.
  • May be asked to assist other law clerks or lawyers of the firm as required and as appropriate.
  • Any other basic administrative duties or tasks as deemed appropriate.

Required Skills:

  • Basic knowledge of general office procedures including filing, faxing, and printing and copying.
  • Basic word processing computer skills.
  • Proficient in receptionist and telephone practices, etiquette, and decorum.
  • Professional attitude and appearance.
  • Excellent organizational skills.
  • Positive customer service attitude is a must.
  • Must be able to maintain confidential and sensitive information.

Education and Experience:

  • Highschool diploma or equivalent.
  • 1 – 2 years’ experience in an office setting with an emphasis in accounting, reception or clerical work is required.   We would prefer experience in a law firm environment.

Applications for this position should be sent via email to jennifer@zeilikmanlaw.com. All applications should include a cover letter, resume and at least two references. Only successful candidates will be contacted.