Soma Ray-Ellis

Where this writer stands

Only opinion columns and editorials are scored. Each piece is read twice by a language model, which records the author's own stance on a policy topic only where the piece argues one, with a quote that must appear in the piece. An author's position on a topic is the average of their pieces, weighted by the model's confidence. News reporting is listed but never scored.

Recent work

• Soma Ray-Ellis: I have a serious nut allergy and my co-workers keep bringing nuts to the office. What are my rights? Ask SomaOpinion · Toronto Star · Sep 14, 2026
• What can I do if I suspect my boss is grooming younger employees?Opinion · Toronto Star · Aug 17, 2026
• Can employees wear shorts and T-shirts to the office in summer?Opinion · Toronto Star · Aug 3, 2026
• Can lying on my resume get me fired?Opinion · Toronto Star · May 25, 2026
• Can employers force you to retire?Opinion · Toronto Star · May 11, 2026
• Why does everyone I know seem so unhappy at work?Opinion · Toronto Star · Apr 27, 2026
• What rights do temporary foreign workers have in Canada?Opinion · Toronto Star · Apr 13, 2026
• Is abuse against staff tolerated in some industries?Opinion · Toronto Star · Mar 30, 2026
• Can I get fired for sleeping on the job?Opinion · Toronto Star · Mar 16, 2026
• How can I get my best workers to love their jobs again?Opinion · Toronto Star · Mar 2, 2026
• My employer says I can only return from maternity leave if I take a pay cut. Is this allowed?Opinion · Toronto Star · Feb 16, 2026
• My employees are requesting more stress leave since the pandemic. Do I have to give it to them?Opinion · Toronto Star · Feb 2, 2026
• I don't like turning my camera on in meetings. Can my boss force me to?Opinion · Toronto Star · Nov 24, 2025
• Soma Ray-Ellis: Minimum wage 101: How much am I owed after Ontario’s recent pay hike? Ask SomaOpinion · Toronto Star · Oct 13, 2025
• Soma Ray-Ellis: I work in HR, and my company’s employees are refusing to comply with return-to-office mandates. What can I do? Ask SomaOpinion · Toronto Star · Sep 29, 2025
• Soma Ray-Ellis: My co-worker leaves many of their tasks to me. How can I fix this without throwing them under the bus? Ask SomaOpinion · Toronto Star · Sep 15, 2025
• Soma Ray-Ellis: How do I deal with employees who wear excessive perfume? Ask SomaOpinion · Toronto Star · Sep 1, 2025
• Soma Ray-Ellis: My co-worker sends me sexually explicit pictures. Can HR step in if it’s outside of work hours? Ask SomaOpinion · Toronto Star · Aug 18, 2025
• Soma Ray-Ellis: Coldplay ‘kiss-cam’ outing shines a light on office romances. Should my boss resign over an open secret? Ask SomaOpinion · Toronto Star · Aug 4, 2025
• Soma Ray-Ellis: Workers I supervise are bullying me. Is there anything I can do about this? Ask SomaOpinion · Toronto Star · Jul 21, 2025
• Soma Ray-Ellis: My company is looking to hire student interns this summer. Would these positions have to be paid? Ask SomaOpinion · Toronto Star · Jul 7, 2025
• Soma Ray-Ellis: I fear Trump’s tariffs may drive my company into bankruptcy. What rights do I have as an employee? Ask SomaOpinion · Toronto Star · Jun 23, 2025
• Soma Ray-Ellis: An employee wants a paid day off for a religious holiday that I’ve never heard of. Am I obligated? Ask SomaOpinion · Toronto Star · May 12, 2025
• Soma Ray-Ellis: I’m in HR, and post-pandemic finding it hard to get employees to dress properly. Can I force a dress code? Ask SomaOpinion · Toronto Star · Apr 28, 2025
• Soma Ray-Ellis: Show me the money! How will Ontario’s new wage transparency law affect me? Ask SomaOpinion · Toronto Star · Apr 14, 2025
• Soma Ray-Ellis: I recently resigned but regret it. Is there any way I can get my job back? Ask SomaOpinion · Toronto Star · Mar 31, 2025
• Soma Ray-Ellis: We have employees who have body odour. Is it appropriate for me to tell them that they have to wear deodorant? Ask SomaOpinion · Toronto Star · Mar 17, 2025
• Soma Ray-Ellis: A work supervisor sometimes punches the wall or throws things. What can we do about it? Ask SomaOpinion · Toronto Star · Mar 3, 2025
• Soma Ray-Ellis: Trump’s tariffs have driven me to start a ‘Buy Canadian’ campaign at work. Will this get me in trouble? Ask SomaOpinion · Toronto Star · Feb 17, 2025
• Soma Ray-Ellis: My boss gave me a lingerie shop gift card for secret Santa leaving me uncomfortable. What can I do? Ask SomaOpinion · Toronto Star · Feb 3, 2025
• Soma Ray-Ellis: I have an online side gig, but my employer is demanding I shut it down or be fired. Can they do that? Ask SomaOpinion · Toronto Star · Jan 20, 2025
• Soma Ray-Ellis: My boss keeps contacting me outside work hours and it’s damaging my mental health. How can I make it stop? Ask SomaOpinion · Toronto Star · Jan 6, 2025
• Soma Ray-Ellis: Can employees record conversations in the workplace?Opinion · Toronto Star · Apr 18, 2019
• Can employees record conversations in the workplace? | The StarOpinion · Toronto Star · Apr 18, 2019