I'm in Ottawa, ON and my religious exemption was denied by my company. While I work remotely and there's no return to work until at least mid-2022, I want to prepare legally. Which legal firms in Ottawa can I contact that handle this specific situation? I just wanted to have that first conversation with a legal expert informing them of my situation to weight my options.
Right now I can't enter the building on site, but if I needed something from the office to take home, it can be picked up at the curb (this is how many have to do it right now, since their cubicle no longer has their computer workstation, being it's at home). So I CAN work and do my job. I'd rather continue working from home permanently if that remains an option beyond mid-2022.
That said, there might be a future situation where somehow my presence on-site would be required. Some equipment cannot leave the building because it's too big, but I've not had that problem yet in years. Another thought is if this might impact my ability to get a security clearance renewed when it expires (e.g. having to go in on-site for fingerprints, etc) - not sure.
The on-site all-the-time-at-the-office model looks be being done away with. A recent big meeting had a higher up mention more collaborative spaces like other companies have adopted. They don't know the future, and whatever they do they don't want to be temporary - so a mixed model would seem to be a thing for sure.
So I don't sense I'm in any immediate trouble.
But I'd like to know what my REALISTIC and TIMELY options are LEGALLY with a lawyer.
It basically comes down to this: risking my health or starving. The former seems to be the lesser of two evils.
So who can I call? Website? Number? Something specific to Ottawa, where I can call - introduce myself and getting a better sense of things.
I'm not willing to shell out legal costs just yet.
Should the day come where I'm definitely look to lose my job, I will make that next step.
Even then, and even if I were to win and be accommodated - how LONG would that take? How MUCH would that costs me?
It's not an easy decision, and I don't want to unnecessarily lose my career prematurely.
I reached out in email/forms to https://rumble.com/c/c-832723 (Don't Talk TV - Nicolas) as well as another Ontario firm with employment lawyers which I found has someone(s) in Ottawa at https://stlawyers.ca/ottawa-employment-lawyers/
Awaiting their response.
One lawyers reply:
My comments: Please note I'm in the PRIVATE sector and NOT in a union. I am, and continue to work remotely since it's high tech. There's no need for me to be in the office, and anything I need from the office can be carted down the front door. Fine by me. There's also no return to work until next summer at the soonest. Even whenever that happens the configuration at work is going to be more flexible with not everyone in the office - so remote learning and part time coming into the office is a permanent thing. So in my situation it seems like I might be able to stay where I am.