What are the Benefits to Hire an Employment Lawyer?
If you are an employer or employee in Ontario, you should always talk to an employment lawyer whenever you experience any workplace issues that require guidance. Here are some common workplace issues where an employment lawyer in Toronto can help:
- a termination of employment (or a wrongful dismissal). For example, you’ve been fired or temporary laid off, and you’re unsure about your right to severance pay or a severance package.
- a significant negative change to the terms and conditions of your job (a constructive dismissal)
- preparing a severance package (or reviewing a severance package) following a wrongful dismissal or constructive dismissal
- preparing a new employment contract (or reviewing an employment contract) to start a new job. For example, you have important questions about your new employment contract your new employer is asking you to sign before you can begin working.
- workplace harassment. For example, you’re facing discrimination or bullying at work by your manager, and don’t know what to do to stop it.
- discrimination, such as unequal treatment based on your an employee’s age, disability, race, ethnicity or family caregiving obligations
- unlawful retaliation (reprisal)
Here’s Why a Consultation with an Ontario Employment Lawyer Can Help
Workplace issues can be stressful, especially if you are an employee unsure of your employee rights (or a business unsure of your employer rights and responsibilities). In fact, Ontario employment law has various rules in place to protect employees, but navigating those legalities can be challenging because they are always changing and there are many different sources. This is where an experienced Ontario employment lawyer comes in. Even if you’re not yet ready to hire an employment lawyer, an initial consultation can be a big help.
Here’s why a consultation with an Ontario employment lawyer is worth your time:
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Know your employee rights (or employer rights, if you are a business): Employment law covers a lot of ground, from preparing and reviewing employment contract, to handling and managing a termination of employment and severance package negotiation. An Ontario employment lawyer can explain the specific laws that apply to your situation and what options you have by speaking with you about any documents you have signed for your employer, your overall work history, recent workplace issue, your overall goals and objectives, and the various options that Amy be available to you (together with the pros and cons of each option).
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Get clear employment law guidance: Employment issues can be emotional. A passionate and experienced employment lawyer can offer objective advice and help you understand the best course of action, considering all your options, risks and benefits, timelines, estimated legal costs and likely outcomes.
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Leverage your strengths and empower your position: Even an initial employment lawyer consultation can put you in a better spot by informing you of your employee rights to strengthen your position when dealing with your employer, whether when you happen to be negotiating an employment contract, reviewing a severance package, wrongful dismissal claim, and everything in between.
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Avoid pitfalls: Employment law can be tricky. An experienced Ontario employment lawyer can help you avoid making decisions you might regret later, like signing a new employment contract that gives up your legal rights rights to negotiate and obtain the best severance package or restrict your ability to start a competing business as a senior executive of the company, or signing a legal release in a severance package that gives up your legal rights to negotiate severance package or start a wrongful dismissal claim or constructive dismissal claim. In other words, speaking with an experienced employment lawyer can save you money by knowing your rights can help you avoid signing employment contracts or agreements that are not in your best interest, which works as an investment to save you a lot of money down the road!
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Peace of Mind by exploring all options: A consultation with an Ontario employment lawyer can help you brainstorm solutions and explore possibilities you might not have considered, such as whether you should negotiate specific aspects of your employment contract, accepting or negotiating. your severance package, or starting wrongful dismissal litigation against your employer.
In many ways, it can be helpful to think of a consultation with an employment lawyer in Toronto as a roadmap. It gives you a clearer picture of where you stand and what steps to take. While a comprehensive legal consultation with an employment lawyer usually involves paying a fee, it is generally well worth it since it should cover your situation and employee rights in great detail to help you make an informed decision.
Remember, an Ontario employment lawyer is there to advocate for you. Don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance, especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed by a work issue.
Regardless of whether you are an Ontario employee or employer, workplace issues are typically stressful and confusing, since it generally involves a disagreement between employers, employees and employment lawyers. That is why it is crucial to review an employment contract with a qualified employment lawyer. If you are an employer or employee needing to speak with an experienced Ontario wrongful dismissal lawyer to discuss your options and next steps on how to deal with workplace issues, call Bune Law, employment law firm in Toronto. 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.