Research summary
Shifts in the economy and the rise of gig work are leaving many workers without clear protections, exposing gaps in our traditional labour laws. In addition, some workers avoid becoming employees altogether in order to escape rigid hierarchies—a choice that can mean going without benefits, safeguards or collective bargaining rights. As Canada Research Chair in Work Law, Dr. Sabine Tsuruda is studying these challenges, with a focus on how outdated legal definitions and authority structures contribute to the problem.
She and her research team are developing a new cooperative model of employment that offers protections without unnecessary control. Drawing on legal theory and comparative research, they are rethinking core areas such as labour law, employment standards and discrimination law to build a more inclusive framework. Their work could reshape workplace protections to better reflect today’s realities, supporting fair treatment, flexibility and dignity for all workers.