Human Rights Lawyers · Ontario
Human Rights Lawyers for Employees in Ontario
If you have experienced workplace discrimination, harassment, or unfair treatment in Ontario, a human rights lawyer can help you understand your rights and take action.
Employees in Ontario are protected from discrimination and harassment under the Ontario Human Rights Code. If your employer has treated you unfairly because of a protected characteristic, failed to accommodate your needs, or allowed a hostile work environment, you may have grounds for a human rights claim.
Achkar Law’s human rights lawyers help employees across Ontario, including Ottawa, understand their rights, assess whether their situation qualifies as a human rights violation, and address the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario process with confidence.
Call toll-free: 1-800-771-7882



Your Rights Under the Ontario Human Rights Code and How a Human Rights Lawyer Can Help
Employees in Ontario are protected from discrimination and harassment in the workplace under the Ontario Human Rights Code. If your employer has treated you unfairly because of a protected characteristic, failed to accommodate your needs, or allowed or created a hostile work environment, you may have grounds for a human rights complaint.
Workplace discrimination in Ontario can take many forms. It may be a hiring decision, a denied promotion, harassment by a manager or coworker, a failure to accommodate a disability or medical condition, or a termination connected to a protected ground. Many employees do not realize their experience qualifies as a human rights matter until they speak with a lawyer.
Achkar Law's human rights lawyers help employees across Ontario, including Ottawa, assess their situation, understand their rights under the Ontario Human Rights Code, prepare their applications, and navigate the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario process. If you have experienced workplace discrimination or workplace harassment in Ontario, getting legal advice early is the most important step you can take.
- Discrimination based on disability, race, gender, or age
- Workplace harassment by a manager or coworker
- Sexual harassment in the workplace
- Failure to accommodate a disability or medical condition
- Discrimination in hiring, promotion, or compensation
- Termination connected to a protected characteristic
- Retaliation after raising a discrimination complaint
- A poisoned or hostile work environment
Common Types of Workplace Discrimination and Harassment in Ontario
Workplace human rights violations in Ontario can take many forms. A human rights lawyer can help you assess whether your experience qualifies under the Ontario Human Rights Code and advise you on your options.
Workplace Discrimination
Discrimination occurs when an employer treats an employee or job applicant unfairly because of a protected characteristic. Under the Ontario Human Rights Code, employers must provide equal treatment in all aspects of employment including hiring, promotion, compensation, job assignments, and termination. A discrimination lawyer can assess whether your experience meets the legal standard.
Workplace Harassment
Workplace harassment connected to a protected characteristic under the Ontario Human Rights Code is a form of discrimination. This includes unwelcome comments, conduct, or behaviour related to race, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or other protected grounds that creates a hostile or offensive work environment. A workplace harassment lawyer can help you understand whether your situation qualifies.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment in the workplace includes unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Employers in Ontario have a legal obligation to maintain a harassment-free workplace. A workplace harassment lawyer can advise you on your rights and options under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Failure to Accommodate
Employers in Ontario have a duty to accommodate employees with disabilities, medical conditions, or religious practices up to the point of undue hardship. A failure to provide reasonable accommodation may constitute discrimination, even where the employer did not intend to discriminate. A human rights lawyer can assess whether your employer met their duty.
Employment Discrimination
If you were denied a job, a promotion, equal pay, or any other employment opportunity because of a protected characteristic, you may have grounds for an employment discrimination claim under the Ontario Human Rights Code. An employment discrimination lawyer can help you assess your situation and advise on the appropriate steps.
Retaliation for Raising a Complaint
Retaliating against an employee for raising a human rights concern, filing a complaint, or participating in a human rights proceeding is prohibited under the Ontario Human Rights Code. If you have faced negative consequences at work after speaking up about discrimination or harassment, you may have an additional claim for reprisal.
Who Is Protected Under the Ontario Human Rights Code?
The Ontario Human Rights Code prohibits discrimination and harassment based on the following protected characteristics in employment:
If you believe you have been treated differently at work because of any of these characteristics, you may have grounds for a human rights complaint in Ontario. A human rights lawyer can assess whether your experience qualifies and advise you on the best course of action.
In Ontario, a human rights application to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario must generally be filed within one year of the last incident of discrimination or harassment. Missing this deadline can prevent you from pursuing your claim entirely.
Beyond the time limit, the way a human rights application is prepared and presented significantly affects its outcome. A poorly drafted application can be dismissed at an early stage. A well-prepared application, supported by the right evidence and legal arguments, gives you the strongest possible foundation.
Achkar Law's human rights lawyers and workplace harassment lawyers help employees across Ontario get the process right from the start, protecting their rights and giving their complaint the best possible chance of success.
Speak With a Human Rights LawyerHow to File a Human Rights Application in Ontario and What to Expect
Achkar Law's human rights lawyers assist Ontario employees at every stage of the human rights process, from initial assessment through to Tribunal representation.
Assessing Your Situation
We review your situation and assess whether your experience qualifies as a human rights violation under the Ontario Human Rights Code. Not every unfair workplace situation meets the legal threshold, and we give you a clear, honest assessment of whether you have a viable claim.
Legal Assessment and Strategy
We assess the evidence, identify the protected ground involved, evaluate potential remedies, advise on limitation periods, and help you gather the documentation needed to support your claim before you file.
Preparing and Filing Your Application
We prepare a clear, well-supported application to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario that accurately sets out the facts, identifies the protected ground, and presents your situation in the strongest possible terms.
Responding to Employer Submissions
Once your application is filed, your employer will have an opportunity to respond. We review their response, identify weaknesses in their position, and prepare your reply to address their submissions effectively.
Mediation and Settlement
Many human rights matters in Ontario are resolved through mediation before reaching a hearing. We represent you in mediation, advocate for a resolution that addresses the harm you have experienced, and advise you on whether any settlement offer is fair and appropriate.
Tribunal Hearings and Representation
If your application proceeds to a hearing before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, Achkar Law's human rights lawyers represent you fully. We present your case, examine witnesses, and make submissions on your behalf to achieve the best possible outcome.
What Remedies Are Available Through the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario?
If the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario finds that discrimination or harassment occurred, it may order a range of remedies. A human rights lawyer can help you understand what remedies may be available in your specific situation.
Compensation for Lost Wages
Where discrimination led to lost income, a denied promotion, or termination, the Tribunal may order compensation for wages and employment opportunities lost as a result of the violation.
Compensation for Injury to Dignity
The Tribunal may award compensation for the personal and emotional impact of the discrimination or harassment on your dignity, feelings, and self-respect, independent of any financial loss.
Orders to Stop Discriminatory Conduct
The Tribunal has the authority to order an employer to stop discriminatory or harassing conduct and take steps to ensure it does not recur in the workplace.
Workplace Policy Changes
The Tribunal may order an employer to implement new policies, training programs, or corrective measures to address systemic issues and prevent future human rights violations.
Out of Pocket Expenses
In appropriate cases, the Tribunal may order compensation for out of pocket expenses related to the discrimination, such as costs incurred as a result of being denied accommodation or forced out of a role.
Future Wage Loss
Where discrimination has affected your career trajectory or future earning potential, the Tribunal may award compensation for future wage loss in appropriate circumstances.
Experienced Discrimination or Harassment at Work in Ontario? Get Legal Advice Now.
Time limits apply. Achkar Law's human rights lawyers help Ontario employees protect their rights and pursue the compensation they deserve.
Human Rights Lawyer Ontario: Common Questions
Common questions from Ontario employees about human rights complaints and workplace discrimination. Contact us directly if your situation is not covered here.
Speak With a LawyerA human rights lawyer in Ontario helps employees understand and enforce their rights under the Ontario Human Rights Code. This includes advising employees about workplace discrimination or harassment, assessing whether their situation qualifies as a human rights violation, preparing an application to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, and representing individuals during mediation or hearings.
Achkar Law's human rights lawyers assist Ontario employees at every stage, from the initial assessment of whether a claim exists through to full Tribunal representation if required.
A discrimination lawyer, sometimes called a human rights lawyer, is a legal professional who helps individuals who have experienced unlawful discrimination in the workplace. In Ontario, discrimination based on a protected characteristic under the Ontario Human Rights Code is prohibited in all aspects of employment.
You may need a discrimination lawyer if you have been treated differently at work because of your race, disability, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, or another protected ground. Getting legal advice early helps you understand your options and preserve your right to file a complaint within the one-year time limit.
Human rights applications in Ontario are filed with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. An application must generally be filed within one year of the last incident of discrimination or harassment. The application must set out the facts, identify the protected ground, and explain how the Ontario Human Rights Code was violated.
Achkar Law's human rights lawyers help Ontario employees prepare and file applications that are clearly and persuasively presented, giving your case the strongest possible foundation from the outset.
Workplace harassment connected to a protected characteristic under the Ontario Human Rights Code is a form of discrimination and can form the basis of a human rights complaint. This includes harassment based on race, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or another protected ground.
Not all workplace harassment qualifies as a human rights matter. General bullying or unfair treatment that is not connected to a protected characteristic may need to be addressed through other legal avenues. A workplace harassment lawyer in Ontario can help you determine the right approach for your specific situation.
In Ontario, the term employment discrimination attorney refers to a lawyer who handles workplace discrimination claims under the Ontario Human Rights Code. If you have experienced discrimination in hiring, promotion, compensation, or termination based on a protected characteristic, an employment discrimination lawyer can assess your situation and advise on your legal options.
You are not required to have legal representation to file a human rights application, but having an experienced human rights lawyer significantly improves the quality of your application and your chances of a successful outcome. Employers facing human rights applications are often represented by legal counsel, so having your own lawyer levels the playing field.
Yes. Achkar Law has an office in Ottawa and serves employees across Ontario. We regularly assist employees in Ottawa and surrounding areas with human rights complaints, workplace discrimination claims, and harassment matters. Many consultations are available virtually, meaning your location within Ontario is not a barrier to getting experienced human rights legal advice.
The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario can award compensation for lost wages and employment opportunities, compensation for injury to dignity, feelings, and self-respect, and orders requiring the employer to stop discriminatory conduct or implement policy changes. Out of pocket expenses and future wage loss may also be available in appropriate cases.
The amount of compensation varies depending on the nature and severity of the violation, its impact on the individual, and other factors. A human rights lawyer in Ontario can give you a realistic assessment of the remedies that may be available in your specific situation.
Call Us or Fill Out the Form and We Will Respond Promptly
If you have experienced workplace discrimination or harassment in Ontario, Achkar Law is here to help. Our human rights lawyers give you a clear assessment of your situation and advise you on the best steps to protect your rights.
We assist employees across Ontario including Ottawa and surrounding areas. Many consultations are available virtually.
Call: 1-800-771-7882Tell Us About Your Situation
Note: Phone calls, consultations, forms, and emails sent to us do not create a lawyer-client relationship and do not constitute legal advice.