Victor’s Story: Bullying at Work Led to Constructive Dismissal
Gretel Uretezuela2025-04-24T09:40:59-04:00Victor was a respected worker until a new supervisor introduced belittling treatment, heavy workloads, and public humiliation. After an ineffective report to HR, feeling trapped, he considered quitting and sought legal advice, discovering he could fight back against his employer.
What Victor was Facing
Name: Victor
Age: 42
Gender: Male
Location: Brampton, Ontario
Occupation: Warehouse Associate
Legal Challenge: Forced to resign due to persistent bullying by a supervisor in a non-unionized workplace.
Victor had worked at a busy warehouse in Brampton for nearly five years. He was known as a reliable team player—the kind of colleague others counted on when shifts got hectic. The job allowed him to support his family and build a stable life, and he took pride in the work.
Everything changed when a new supervisor joined the team. From day one, Victor felt targeted. He was repeatedly assigned the most physically demanding tasks, publicly criticized without cause, and spoken to in a demeaning tone in front of his co-workers.
When the Workplace Becomes Unbearable
Victor tried to stay professional and focus on his responsibilities. But over time, the bullying began to take a toll on his mental health. He reported the behaviour to HR, hoping the issue would be addressed—but no action was taken.
Eventually, feeling trapped and unsupported, Victor made the difficult decision to resign. It felt like the only way to protect his well-being.
Seeking Legal Advice
Unsure if there was anything he could do, Victor reached out to us for guidance. He explained the hostile work environment and the company’s failure to step in after his complaints.
We told Victor that under Ontario law, employers are responsible for providing a safe and respectful workplace. When bullying or harassment becomes persistent—and when an employer fails to respond—it can amount to constructive dismissal. In these cases, the resignation can be treated as a termination, giving the worker the right to seek compensation.
Building a Strong Case
We helped Victor organize a detailed record of what he had experienced. He documented specific incidents of bullying, communications with HR, and how the situation had escalated.
With this evidence, we presented a formal claim to his former employer. The company initially denied responsibility, insisting Victor had left on his own. But once we laid out the legal risks and showed the strength of his documentation, they agreed to negotiate.
A Positive Outcome After a Difficult Experience
Victor received a compensation package that reflected his years of service and the impact the situation had on his ability to find new work. More importantly, he felt vindicated, knowing he had stood up for himself and held his employer accountable.
If you’re facing a toxic work environment, you don’t have to go through it alone. Like Victor, understanding your rights can be the first step toward a better resolution.
Facing bullying or harassment at work?
A toxic environment that forces you to leave may amount to constructive dismissal. We can help.
→ Call 1-800-771-7882 or book a consultation to get clear legal advice.
To protect privacy and ensure a smoother reading experience, some identifying details and certain facts have been changed. This account remains grounded in the legal issues and outcomes that occurred.