Reasons for Employees to be Looking for an Employment Lawyer in Ontario
In any workplace, there are often myriad number of issues or disputes that could take place between employers and their employees where the guidance of a top employment lawyer in Ontario will be helpful. If you are an employee looking for an employment lawyer, it my be because of many different reasons, such as:
- your workplace feels very hostile and you are afraid of even going to work, including because you are dealing with harassment and discrimination
- you are starting a new job (or are already working) and your employer asks you to sign a new employment contract you need to have reviewed
- you are experiencing major changes to your job, such as a demotion or a work relocation, that could mean a constructive dismissal
- you are let go (terminated) from your job, which could mean that you have a wrongful dismissal claim against your employer
Employment Lawyer Can Help with Wrongful Termination of Employment
By far, one of the most important reasons to consult with an employment lawyer is if you face a termination of your employment. Being let go can be stressful, and understanding your rights is crucial. In Ontario, employers generally need just cause to terminate an employee job. If you believe your termination was unjust or without cause, speaking to an employment lawyer can help you explore options, such as severance negotiations or wrongful dismissal claims.
Remember, there are legal protections in Ontario employment law in place to ensure fair treatment in employment termination, including financial compensation in the form of a severance package. In fact, if you receive a severance package as part of your termination of employment, it is crucial to look for an employment lawyer to help you review the severance package with an experienced employment lawyer to determine if it is fair, reasonable and if there is a good opportunity to negotiate your severance package to obtain more severance pay entitlements.
Employment Lawyer Can Help to Review Employment Contract
Likewise, while often overlooked by most employees, being asked to sign a new employment contract is a critical time to be looking for an employment lawyer. Basically, a written employment contract serves to outline important terms of your employment, including duties, compensation, and circumstances and conditions where your employment may be terminated by the company without notice or compensation. This is why it is essential to understand your rights and obligations within the contract. If any clauses seem unclear or disadvantageous, seeking legal advice can ensure you fully grasp the terms and make informed decisions.
Among other things, an employment lawyer can meticulously review your employment contract, identifying any potentially problematic clauses regarding termination clauses, non-compete agreements, or other restrictive terms. This allows for open communication with your employer or to negotiate terms that are fair and protect your rights as an employee in Ontario.
Employment Lawyer Can Help Minimize a Potential Constructive Dismissal
With the help of an employment lawyer, you may be able to proactively strategize to avoid a constructive dismissal or wrongful dismissal by attending to concerns early. For example, if you sense your working conditions are deteriorating, an employment lawyer can help you articulate your concerns to your employer effectively and suggest alternative solutions. Early intervention can often prevent escalation and improve the situation.
Likewise, by negotiating changes that your employer needs to make to your job, an employment lawyer can help you negotiate for fairer terms, such as adjusted workload, compensation increases, alternative working arrangements, or better termination of employment (severance package) protections. This proactive approach can improve your working environment and potentially avoid a constructive dismissal scenario or a resignation.
Call Employment Lawyer Toronto Today
If you are an employee who believes you were wrongfully dismissed from your employment without a fair severance package, or are experiencing workplace hostility or other difficulties, please call today to discuss your options and next steps on how to deal with a wrongful dismissal. As an employment law firm in Toronto, Bune Law has reviewed and negotiated improvements to many severance packages. You will review and get guidance on your severance package before you agree to sign any termination documents, and help ensure that your severance package is fair and reasonable.