Employment & Labour for Employees

Guidance Through Workplace Challenges

Losing your job or facing workplace issues can significantly impact your financial security and overall well-being. When employers violate your rights through wrongful dismissal, inadequate severance, or discrimination, you need lawyers who understand employment law and will fight for fair treatment.

We act for employees facing workplace challenges, from individual terminations to union grievances. Our team appears before all employment-related tribunals, human rights commissions, labour boards, and courts. We understand the power imbalance between employees and employers and work to level the playing field.

Wrongful Dismissal Claims

Wrongful dismissal occurs when an employer terminates you without proper notice or pay in lieu, or claims “just cause” without valid grounds.

The law recognizes the importance of protecting employees from unjust termination. Minimum standards under the Labour Standards Code or Canada Labour Code are just that – minimums. You’re often entitled to much more based on factors such as length of service, age, position, and the likelihood of finding comparable employment. We review your termination, calculate the appropriate compensation, and negotiate or litigate for a fair severance package.

Employment Contract Review

Employment contracts contain crucial terms that affect your rights, including severance limitations, non-compete clauses, confidentiality requirements, and post-employment restrictions.

Many contracts heavily favour employers and may contain unenforceable terms. We review contracts before you sign, identifying problematic clauses and negotiating better terms. If you’ve already signed, we assess enforceability and advise on your actual obligations versus what employers claim.

Employee Terminations

How termination is handled determines your entitlements. Employers must follow proper procedures and provide adequate compensation.

We review whether termination was with or without cause, if proper notice was given, whether severance offers are fair, and whether human rights violations occurred. Good hiring practices reduce termination risks, but when termination happens, legal advice ensures you receive everything you’re owed.

Human Rights Issues

Discrimination based on protected characteristics, including race, gender, disability, age, or family status, violates human rights legislation.

Workplace harassment, failure to accommodate disabilities, discriminatory treatment, and reprisals for asserting rights are all actionable. We file human rights complaints, represent you through investigations and hearings, and seek remedies, including compensation and policy changes.

Employment Standards

Provincial and federal employment standards set minimum requirements for wages, hours, overtime, vacation, and leave.

Employers often violate these standards by misclassifying employees as contractors, failing to pay overtime, making unauthorized deductions, or denying statutory leaves. We file employment standards complaints and ensure that you receive all wages and benefits to which you are entitled.

Arbitration Representation

Many employment disputes, especially in unionized workplaces, are resolved through arbitration rather than in court.

Arbitration is less formal than court proceedings, but it still requires skilled representation. We prepare grievances, gather evidence, examine witnesses, and present compelling arguments to support our claims. Our experience before arbitrators ensures your case is properly presented.

Labour Relations Board Matters

Labour boards handle union certification, unfair labour practices, and disputes related to collective agreements.

We represent employees in board proceedings, including certification applications, duty of fair representation complaints, and successor rights issues. Understanding board procedures and precedents is crucial for success.