Legal Insights from a Toronto Employment Lawyer
Practical articles on wrongful dismissal, severance packages, employment contracts, and workplace rights in Ontario — written by Sezar Bune, J.D.
Employer’s Bad Faith Conduct Results in Higher Court Award
In a wrongful dismissal claim called Teljeur v Aurora Hotel Group, 2023 ONSC 1324, an Ontario court awarded the terminated employee seven (7) months’ damages for reasonable notice (financial severance package), in addition to $15,000 in moral damages as a result of...
What are an Employee’s Voting Rights in Ontario Elections?
One employment law topic that is rarely discussed is an employer's legal obligations (and an employee's legal rights) when it comes to employee voting rights in elections, be it municipal, provincial or federal. Constitutional Rights to Participate in an Election From...
What is an Employer’s Duty to Accommodate Disabilities?
As an employer, one of workplace issue fraught with danger is knowing how to properly manage employees with disabilities (or other needs that require support). In fact, understanding an employer's rights and obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Act (human rights...
Experiencing Change to Your Job at Work? Employee Tips on How to Manage
Can an Employer Make Changes to Your Job? Generally speaking, an employer in Ontario cannot make significant negative changes to an employee’s terms or conditions of employment without their consent or permission. However, one key exception could be if the employee...
Wrongful Dismissal and Severance Packages: How to Calculate Reasonable Notice Period
What is a Wrongful Dismissal? In Ontario employment law, employers have the right to terminate an employee's job. However, this right is not unfettered and it comes with certain requirements. Generally, an employer can terminate ("fire") an employee from their job:...
Personal Liability of Corporate Directors for Wrongful Dismissal Severance Package
Piercing the Corporate Veil: Directors Could be Liable to Pay Wrongfully Dismissed Employee The Oppression Remedy In Canada, most business legislation (such as the Ontario Business Corporations Act and the Canada Business Corporations Act) allow for a legal claim for...
What Happens if an Employee Violates a Non-Solicitation Agreement?
Non-Solicitation Agreements: The Basics Under Ontario employment law, employers are entitled to protect their business interests from departing employees. In general, these issues arise in employment-related disputes, especially termination of employment, wrongful...
What is a Fixed-Term Employment Contract in Ontario?
While employment contracts do not come in all shapes and sizes, they do at least come in two general forms: either fixed term or indefinite term. A fixed-term employment contract will specify an end (expiry) date for the employment, while an indefinite term...
What Do I Do if I Was Constructively Dismissed by My Employer?
Constructive Dismissal in Ontario Employment Law Many of us have heard of a "constructive dismissal". Quite often, we receive calls from employees inquiring about whether they have a valid constructive dismissal case. In fact, sometimes the employees are adamant that...
Are Employees Entitled to Bonus Pay Upon a Wrongful Dismissal?
Termination Without Cause vs. Termination for Just Cause In Ontario, whether an employee is entitled to any compensation when their job is terminated depends on the manner in which it occurs. Specifically, employment can be terminated "without cause" or for "just...