We provide advice to both employers and employees on all aspects of the employment relationship.

We take a proactive approach to help employers implement policies and practices to maintain high morale and avoid employment disputes. Towards that end, we draft all sorts of employment related contracts, advise on downsizing and reductions in the workforce, conduct internal investigations, review employment policies and conduct training programs to educate management on issues such as sexual harassment, diversity and violence in the workplace.

For individuals we have experience handling all types of employment-related matters, including wrongful dismissal, discrimination, restrictive covenants, theft-of-trade-secrets matters, breach of contract claims, pension, confidentiality, unemployment insurance and privacy matters.

We provide progressive legal and business counsel to clients regarding:

Drafting Contracts and Business Policy manuals

Damages for Wrongful Dismissal

• Statutory Minimum Entitlement to Notice
• Statutory Minimum Entitlement to Severance
• Reasonable Notice Entitlement
• Calculating Damages for Wrongful Dismissal
• Punitive Damages
• Damages for Mental Distress
• Damages for Injury to Reputation

Human Rights Considerations in the Hiring Process

• Discriminatory Employment Advertising
• Application for Employment
• The Employment Interview
• Employer Hiring Policies
• Employment Testing

Liability of Employees for Inaccurate and Incomplete Information

• Misstating Education, Qualifications, and Experience
• Not Providing Essential Information
• Inaccurate and Incomplete Information Involving Unionized Employees

Liability of Employers in the Hiring Process

• Damages for Misrepresentation
• Pre-Employment Contracts
• Increased Damages for Inducement

Dismissal Without Compensation (Just Cause)

• Incompetence
• Insubordination
• Absenteeism and Lateness
• Dishonesty
• Sexual Harassment
• Conflict of Interest
• Conduct Outside of Work
• Cause Discovered After Firing
• Probationary Employees

Change of Employment Conditions (Constructive Dismissal)

• What is Constructive Dismissal?
• Types of Constructive Dismissal
• Appropriate Reaction to Constructive Dismissal

Termination of Unionized Employees

• Warnings and Suspensions
• Firing for No Justifiable Reason
• Firing for Justifiable Reason
• Arbitrators' Awards
• Appealing an Arbitrators' Decision

Quitting and Resignation

• The Requirement of Voluntariness
• The Requirement to Provide Notice of Resignation