Our Team

Sarah Crossley


Contact
T: 416.408.5514
F: 416.408.4814
E: scrossley@filion.on.ca

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Assistant
Rae Murphy
T: 289.272.6003
F: 905.577.0805
E: rmurphy@filion.on.ca

Education/Admissions
  • Call to the Bar of the Province of Ontario - Law Society of Upper Canada, 1999
  • Bachelor of Law - University of Windsor, 1997 (Windsor, Ontario)
  • Bachelor of Arts - University of Western Ontario, 1994 (London, Ontario)

Sarah Crossley
Partner

Executive Summary

As a partner in the Firm, Sarah acts for employers in both the federal and provincial jurisdictions. Her clients operate in a range of industries, including manufacturing, telecommunications, retail, financial services and pharmaceutical. Before joining Filion, Sarah practiced management-side labour and employment law with a global firm.

Sarah provides practical and strategic advice to employers on all aspects of labour and employment law. She regularly acts as counsel in wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights proceedings, and grievance arbitrations. She is also regularly retained to conduct workplace investigations.

Sarah is a sought-after expert, having written on and delivered many presentations on such issues as conducting lawful and effective workplace investigations, accommodation, workplace discrimination and harassment, terminations, and the benefits of employment agreements. She is a past course instructor for the employment law course at the Human Resources Professionals Association and for the HR Law for HR Professionals Certificate Program at Osgoode Professional Development, Osgoode Hall Law School. Sarah is also a Fellow of the American College of Labor and Employment Lawyers.

Sarah is on the Board of Governors at Havergal College and also sits on the Governance and Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Committees.

Before joining Filion, Sarah practiced management-side labour and employment law with a global firm.

Memberships and Professional Affiliations

  • The Ontario Bar Association
  • The Advocates Society
  • The Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers
  • College of Labor and Employment Lawyers (USA), Fellow
  • Board of Governors, Havergal College

Selected Publications, Presentations and Media Mentions

Workplace Investigations, OBA 22nd Annual Current Issues in Employment Law, April 17, 2024

Conducting Workplace Investigations: The Investigative Process and Pre-Investigative Steps, The Osgoode Certificate in HR Law for HR Professionals, April 4, 2024

Critical Issues in the Hiring Process, The Osgoode Certificate in HR Law for HR Professionals, March 21, 2024

Legal Considerations for A Hybrid Work Environment, Ontario Mutual Insurance Association, November 2, 2023

Effective Grievance Handling and Arbitration Advocacy: Intensive Training for Employers and Unions, Lancaster House, December 12 and 13, 2023

Legal Considerations for A Hybrid Work Environment, Ontario Mutual Insurance Association, November 2, 2023

Effective Strategies for Conducting Workplace Investigations: Best Practices for Responding to Incident Reporting, Canadian Lawyer - Employment Law Masterclass, April 25, 2023

Conducting Workplace Investigations: The Investigative Process and Pre-Investigative Steps, The Osgoode Certificate in HR Law for HR Professionals, April 19, 2023

Critical Issues in the Hiring Process, The Osgoode Certificate in HR Law for HR Professionals, March 28, 2023

Terminations 101: Prepare Your Business for a Possible Recession, Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti Webinar, February 28, 2023

Return to Office Policies, Ontario Mutual Insurance Association, May 5, 2022

Northern Exposure: Risk Mitigation in the Canadian Workplace, Lockton Global Benefits Forum, April 28, 2022

Conducting Workplace Investigations: The Investigative Process and Pre-Investigative Steps, The Osgoode Certificate in HR Law for HR Professionals, April 14, 2022

Return to Office Policies, LexisNexis, March 10, 2022

COVID-19 Vaccinations and the Workplace, Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti Webinar, May 27, 2021

Conducting Workplace Investigations: The Investigative Process and Pre-Investigative Steps, The Osgoode Certificate in HR Law for HR Professionals, April 16, 2021

Desire to Work Remotely – What impact will COVID 19 have on the workplace?, Anchor HR Services Inc., January 21, 2021

Pre-Litigation Professionalism, Litigating an Employment File - The Essential Course, Ontario Bar Association, October 14, 2020

Conducting Workplace Investigations: The Investigative Process and Pre-Investigative Steps, The Osgoode Certificate in HR Law for HR Professionals, April 16, 2020

Workplace Investigations: Focusing on Fundamentals, Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti LLP Breakfast Seminar, January 15, 2020

Employment Law Updates, HRPA West Toronto Chapter Event, December 4, 2019

Do You Have a Plan for Complying with Pay Equity Legislation?, Curo Compensation Let's talk pay equity and compensation - Ottawa, November 19, 2019

Litigation Ensues, HRPA 2019 HR Law Conference, October 17, 2019

The Investigative Process, Law Society of Ontario, Workplace Investigations: A Comprehensive Look at Emerging Issues and Practical Solutions, September 23, 2019

Just Cause in the Wake of the "#MeToo" Movement, National Academy of Arbitrators 2019 Fall Education Conference, September 21, 2019

Workplace Investigations, Lancaster House/Ryerson University Labour Relations Certificate program, May 15, 2019

At least we are not California...yet, that is, 2019 Lockton Global Benefits Forum, May 1, 2019

Conducting Workplace Investigations: The Investigative Process and Pre-Investigation Steps, The Osgoode Certificate in HR Law for HR Professionals, April 16, 2019

Flying Solo: Best Practices for Managing Proceedings Commenced by Self-Represented Litigants, Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti LLP Breakfast Seminar, February 28, 2019

Weed in the Workplace, Plus North 2019 Panel - Moving Beyond the Stigma: Cannabis Market Risks and Rewards, February 20, 2019

Cheech and Chong Go to Work: Legal Marijuana and Criminal Record Checks, Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti LLP Breakfast Seminar, October 23, 2018

The Latest on Employer Drug and Alcohol Testing and Marijuana, OBA 16th Annual Current Issues in Employment Law, April 27, 2018

Conducting Workplace Investigations, The Osgoode Certificate in HR Law for HR Professionals, Toronto, ON, April 3, 2018

New Legal Developments in North America - Canada, Mexico and the US, Association of Corporate Counsel Webcast, January 24, 2018

International Dismissal, Bloomberg/BNA Session webinar, January 23, 2018

Conducting Fair and Effective Disciplinary Investigations: A Hands-On Workshop, Lancaster House 2017, Labour Arbitration and Policy Post-Conference Workshop, December 8, 2017

New Legal Developments in North America – Canada, Mexico and the U.S., June 27, 2017

Classifying Your Sales Staff Working in the Americas: Are They Exempt Employees?, June 14, 2017

Grievance Arbitration Advocacy: An In-Depth Training Session on Preparing and Presenting an Effective Case, Lancaster House Workshop, May 9, 2017

15th Annual Current Issues in Employment Law (Recent Developments in Human Rights), Ontario Bar Association, May 4, 2017

Conducting Workplace Investigations, The Osgoode Certificate in HR Law for HR Professionals, Toronto, ON, April 5, 2017

Lancaster House: Skills Training Session: Recognizing and Accommodating Employees in Mental Distress, Toronto, ON, November 9, 2016

Social Media, Privacy and the Workplace: Information Technology Law Spring Forum, Canadian IT Law Association, Toronto, ON, May 16, 2016

Maintaining and Managing a Respect-Based Workplace and Preparing for Bill 132, Toronto, ON, April 12, 2016

Conference Co-Chair, Lancaster House 2016, Human Rights and Accommodation Conference, Toronto, March 30, 2016

Conducting Workplace Investigations, The Osgoode Certificate in HR Law for HR Professionals, March 22, 2016

Identifying and Managing Addiction in the Workplace, Federated Press 10th Employer's Duty to Accommodate Conference, December 10, 2015

Conducting Compliant Workplace Investigations, Federated Press 9th HR Legal Risks Conference, September 25, 2015

Consequences of Inadequate Workplace Investigations - Are You Ready to Bear the Costs?, Insight's Workplace Discipline and Termination Conference, June 9, 2015

How a Workplace Investigation Can Impact a Damage Award in Wrongful Dismissal Litigation, HRPA Quarterly Updates Webinar, June 3, 2015

The Essentials: What You Need to Know for 2015, HRM Masterclass Legal Services, April 17, 2015

Conducting Workplace Investigations - The Investigative Process and the Pre-Investigative Steps, Osgoode Professional Development Conference, March 31, 2015

Current Trends in Wrongful Dismissal Litigation, HRPA Webinar, March 4, 2015

Lessons Learned from Investigations Gone Wrong, Institute 2015 Labour & Employment Law, Ontario Bar Association, February 4, 2015

Identifying and Managing Addiction in the Workplace, Federated Press 9th Employers Duty to Accommodate Conference, December 11, 2014

Terminations, HRPA Quarterly Updates Webinar, December 3, 2014

Managing Terminations, Federated Press 6th Workplace Mental Health Conference, December 2, 2014

Conducting Compliant Workplace Investigations, Federated Press 8th HR Legal Risk Conference, September 12, 2014

Terminations, HRPA Quarterly Updates Webinar, September 3, 2014

IP and Departing Employees: Securing and Protecting Your Company's IP Rights, Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) Chapter Seminar, June 23, 2014

Workin' Nine to Nine: Overtime Issues in the Modern Workplace, Lancaster House Audio Conference, June 18, 2014

Conducting Workplace Investigations: The Investigative Process and Pre-Investigation Steps, Osgoode Professional Development Conference, April 30, 2014

Addressing Harassment and a Toxic Workplace Environment, Human Rights & Accommodation Conference, Lancaster House, April 1, 2014

Identifying and Managing Addiction in the Workplace, Federated Press Employer's Duty to Accommodate Conference, December 12, 2013

Managing Terminations, Federated Press Workplace Mental Health Conference, December 10, 2013

Help Wanted: Ensuring Legally Compliant Recruitment, Hiring and Promotion, Lancaster House Audio Conference, December 5, 2013

Conducting Workplace Investigations: The Investigative Process and Pre-Investigation Steps, Osgoode Professional Development Conference, July 10, 2013

Social Media and Employee Misconduct, The Six Minute Labour Lawyer Conference, June 13, 2013

Conducting Workplace Investigations to Minimize the Risk of Seven-Figure Pain, Osgoode Conference - CLE Update on Employment Law, May 16, 2013

Post-Merger Employment Law Issues, Federated Press 4th Post-Merger Integration Course, May 15, 2013

Out of Bounds: Pranks, Jokes and Horseplay that Cross the Line into Violence and Harassment, Lancaster House Audio Conference, April 11, 2013

Computer Use and Privacy, Lancaster House Conference, April 4, 2013

Conducting Workplace Investigations - The Investigative Process and Pre-Investigation Steps, Osgoode Professional Development Conference, January 7, 2013

Identifying and Managing Addiction in the Workplace, Federated Press Conference, December 13, 2012

Training Managers in HR Policy, Federated Press Conference, October 4, 2012

Conducting Workplace Investigations - The Investigative Process and Pre-Investigation Steps, Osgoode Professional Development Conference, May 8, 2012

Major Caselaw and Legislative Update, Lancaster House Conference, April 3, 2012

Evidence Collection for Injunctions, OPA Institute, February 9, 2012

Recruitment and Hiring: the Legal and Practical Guide, Osgoode Professional Development Conference, December 13, 2011

Training Managers in HR Policy, Federated Press Conference, September 14, 2011

Identifying and Managing Addiction in the Workplace, Federated Press Conference, December 16, 2010

Training Managers in HR Policy, Federated Press Conference, September 24, 2010

Violence in the Workplace and Investigation Under Bill 168, HRPA and Safe Workplace Promotion Services Ontario Webinar, May 19, 2010

Recruitment & Hiring: Understanding The Legal Aspects, Osgoode Professional Development Conference, April 27, 2010

Human Rights Remedies, Lancaster House Conference, April 20, 2010

Managing Employees With Disabilities, Federated Press Conference, April 13, 2010

Managing Employees With Disabilities, Federated Press Conference, December 3, 2009

Harassment in the Workplace: Take the Time to Investigate, Lexpert Conference, October 27, 2009

A Procedural Update: The Complaint Procedure and Defensive Strategies for Human Rights Complaints, Lexpert Conference, October 27, 2009

Recent Cases and Procedural Issues Under the New Human Rights System, HRPA Webinar, September 16, 2009

Role of Counsel, Effective Advocacy and Investigator's Expectations, The Annual Six Minute Employment Lawyer Conference (Law Society of Upper Canada), June 17, 2009

Current Employment Law for IT Professionals, 9th Annual IT Law Spring Training Program (Law Society of Upper Canada), May 1, 2009

Managing Employees With Disabilities, Federated Press Conference, April 12, 2009

Labour Relations and Employment Law, Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association - Civil Management Construction Seminar, February 11, 2009

Abolition of Mandatory Retirement, Lexpert Conference, December 1, 2008

Harassment in the Workplace: Take the Time to Investigate, Lexpert Conference, December 1, 2008

Employment Law Primer and Practical Tips, Institute of Chartered Accountants, November 2, 2008

Employing Older Workers and the End of Mandatory Retirement, Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers Conference, September 18-21, 2008

Recruitment: Navigating the Legal Minefield, Canadian Corrugated Cardboard Association Conference, March 6, 2007

Independent Contractor or Employee? Developments in Canadian Jurisprudence Since Sagaz, Ontario Bar Association Conference, February 28, 2007

Publications

The Investigation Process, Law Society of Ontario Workplace Investigations: A Comprehensive Look at Emerging Issues and Practical Solutions, September 23, 2019 (Co-author)

Termination of the Employment Relationship: Structuring a Termination Package and Settlements, Lexis Practice Advisor Canada: In-House Counsel, Toronto: LexisNexis, 2019 (Co-author)

Human Rights: Recent Developments in Family Status, Damages and Vexatious Litigation, Ontario Bar Association, April 2017

Employers Behaving Badly, The Lawyers Weekly, July 8, 2016

Develop Company's Employee and Related Policies and Procedures, Bringing Your Pharmaceutical Drug to Market, Washington D.C.: The Food and Drug Law Institute, 2015

Terminating the Employment Relationship: Structuring and Effective Termination Package, New Perspectives on Canadian Employment Law, Toronto: LexisNexis Canada, Inc., 2014

Protect Your Business from any Departing Employee, Canadian Mining Journal, June 2012

Avoiding Lawsuits After Layoffs - In-House Counsel Should Consider Five Factors, Counsel to Counsel, July/August 2009

Court Puts Reasonable Back Into Duty To Accommodate, Benefits and Pensions Monitor News Alerts, November 13, 2008

Closing the Door on Reinstatement, Canadian HR Reporter, September 22, 2008

Challenges Brought by the End of Mandatory Retirement and Options for Today's Employers, Ontario Human Resources Professionals Association, September 2008

Unsafe Workplace Attracts Criminal Sanctions, Renascent Workplace Solutions Newsletter, May 2008

Discharge Without Just Cause: Reinstatement or Damages?, Workplace News, April 2008

Indiscriminate Blogging by Employees May Breach Confidentiality Requirements, Workplace News, November/December 2007

Random Drug Testing (As Opposed to Random Alcohol Testing) Nixed By Ontario Board of Arbitration, ABA, February 2007

How To Protect Yourself from a Departing Employee, ABA, August 2006

Bankruptcy Court Cannot Insulate Buyers of Troubles Companies from Successorship Decisions By Labour Relations Board, Supreme Court of Canada Decides, ABA, August 2006

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