Employment Law

Losing a job is hard enough without a termination letter full of words that sound interchangeable but are not. “Termination pay,” “severance,” “notice” and “package” mean different things in Ontario law, and the difference can be worth months of income. Here is a plain-language guide to what you may be owed. First: termination pay and severance pay are not the same thing Under Ontario’s Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA), these are two separate entitlements with different r

If your employer has asked you to sign a non-compete agreement — or if you are worried about a non-compete clause in your existing employment contract — you are not alone. Non-compete clauses have become increasingly common in Ontario, but a major change in the law in 2021 means that most of them are now unenforceable. The 2021 Ban on Non-Competes Effective October 25, 2021, Ontario's Working for Workers Act amended the Employment Standards Act, 2000 to prohibit non-compete a

No one should have to endure harassment at work. Ontario law provides multiple avenues for employees who are being harassed — but knowing which one to use, and how, can be confusing. Whether you are dealing with bullying by a manager, sexual harassment, or a poisoned work environment, understanding your legal options is the first step toward making it stop. What Counts as Workplace Harassment? Under Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), workplace harassment is

If you have been let go from your job in Ontario, you are likely wondering how much severance you are entitled to. The answer depends on two different legal frameworks — the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) and the common law — and the difference between them can be substantial. Many employees accept their employer's initial offer without realizing they may be entitled to significantly more. ESA Minimums: Termination Pay and Severance Pay The ESA provides two types of pay

If you believe you have been discriminated against in Ontario — at work, in housing, or in receiving services — you may have the right to file an application with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO). The Ontario Human Rights Code protects people from discrimination on grounds including race, sex, disability, age, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and religion. Understanding how the HRTO process works is the first step in asserting your rights. What t

Losing your job is stressful. Losing it unfairly can feel devastating. If you have been terminated without proper notice or severance, you may have a wrongful dismissal claim. In Ontario, the law provides meaningful protections for employees — but many people do not realize how much they may be entitled to until they speak with a lawyer. What Is Wrongful Dismissal? Wrongful dismissal occurs when an employer terminates an employee without providing adequate notice or pay in li