Employer Lawyers Who Protect Your Organization and Your Bottom Line

Employment law touches every stage of the employer-employee relationship, from the offer letter you draft to the termination you navigate. The difference between handling it proactively and reacting after the fact is measured in legal fees, damages, and lost management time. Achkar Law works exclusively on employer-side matters across Ontario and British Columbia, helping businesses of all sizes manage risk, resolve disputes efficiently, and stay compliant. And when disputes escalate, we represent employers before the courts, tribunals, and arbitration panels with the same preparation we bring to every file.

When Employers Need Legal Advice

Employment issues left unaddressed become expensive problems. These are the situations where getting advice early, rather than after a claim lands, makes the biggest difference:

• Terminating an employee with or without cause
• Responding to a wrongful dismissal or human rights complaint
• Conducting a workplace investigation into misconduct or harassment
• Drafting or updating employment contracts and policies
• Navigating employment standards compliance in Ontario or BC
• Managing a workplace dispute before it reaches a tribunal
• Preparing for or responding to employment litigation
• Advising HR on performance management and documentation

Employer Legal Services Across Ontario and British Columbia

Our employment lawyers assist employers with every aspect of workplace law, from day-to-day HR guidance to full litigation representation.

Terminations, dismissals, and layoffs

Advice on terminating employees with or without cause, calculating appropriate severance, minimizing wrongful dismissal exposure, and structuring defensible exit strategies. See terminations, dismissals, and layoffs.

Workplace investigations

Fair, thorough investigations into misconduct, harassment, discrimination, and policy breaches, with findings that hold up to scrutiny. See workplace investigations.

Employment agreements and contracts

Drafting, reviewing, and updating employment agreements, executive contracts, non-compete and non-solicitation clauses, and confidentiality provisions. See employment agreements.

Workplace disputes and litigation

Representation in wrongful dismissal claims, human rights complaints, Ministry of Labour disputes, and civil employment matters before Ontario and BC courts and tribunals. See workplace disputes and litigation.

Labour and employment compliance

Guidance on Employment Standards Act compliance, pay equity, leaves of absence, hours of work, and avoiding costly penalties and Ministry investigations. See labour and employment compliance.

Labour law

Advice on labour relations including collective agreement interpretation, grievance management, arbitration preparation, and labour board proceedings, including collective bargaining and negotiation and responding to unfair labour practices. See labour law.

Workplace policies

Drafting and updating workplace policies, employee handbooks, accommodation frameworks, and disciplinary procedures that protect your organization. See workplace policies.

Fractional general counsel and ongoing HR advice

Ongoing legal guidance for HR professionals and management on performance management, workplace conflict, accommodation, discipline, and risk reduction, without the cost of in-house counsel. See fractional general counsel.

Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)

Support for employers navigating the LMIA process and related compliance when hiring foreign workers. See Labour Market Impact Assessment.

Workplace training

Practical training for managers and staff on harassment, discrimination, workplace conduct, and legal obligations, reducing risk before issues arise. See workplace training services.

Why Employers Choose Achkar Law

What Happens When You Contact Us

Employer Employment Law Questions, Answered

What does an employment lawyer for employers do?

An employment lawyer for employers advises and represents businesses, organizations, and HR professionals on all aspects of workplace law: drafting employment contracts, advising on terminations and severance, conducting or overseeing workplace investigations, defending against wrongful dismissal and human rights claims, and representing employers before courts and tribunals. At Achkar Law, our employer lawyers also provide proactive HR guidance, helping organizations build compliant policies and practices that reduce the likelihood of disputes arising in the first place.

When should an employer call an employment lawyer?

Before making significant decisions, not after. The situations that benefit most from early advice include terminating an employee (especially a long-service or senior one), receiving a harassment or discrimination complaint, conducting a workplace investigation, responding to a Ministry of Labour audit, and drafting or updating employment contracts. Early advice is almost always less expensive than fixing a problem that has already escalated. If you are unsure whether your situation warrants a call, it usually does.

How much severance does an employer have to pay in Ontario?

Severance obligations depend on the employee's length of service, age, position, and the terms of their contract. Under the Employment Standards Act, 2000, employees may be entitled to termination pay, severance pay, or both. At common law, courts often award significantly more than the ESA minimums, known as reasonable notice. The only reliable way to determine your obligations for a specific employee is to get advice based on the facts. Achkar Law regularly advises employers on severance calculations and defensible termination packages.

Can an employer terminate an employee without cause in Ontario or BC?

Yes. Employers in both provinces can generally terminate without cause, provided they give proper notice or pay in lieu. The amount owed depends on the contract, length of service, and applicable legislation. However, without-cause terminations can still give rise to wrongful dismissal claims if the notice is insufficient, the termination is handled improperly, or the employee argues constructive dismissal. Legal advice before a termination significantly reduces exposure.

What is constructive dismissal and how does it affect employers?

Constructive dismissal occurs when an employer makes a significant, unilateral change to an employee's working conditions, a demotion, pay cut, change in duties, or hostile environment, to the point where the employee is effectively forced to resign. Courts treat it as a dismissal, and the employer may owe the same damages as an outright termination. These claims often arise from decisions that seem routine, like restructuring a role or changing reporting lines, so get advice before implementing significant changes.

Does Achkar Law serve employers outside Toronto?

Yes. We have offices in Toronto, Ottawa, and Vancouver and serve employers across Ontario and British Columbia. We regularly advise and represent employers remotely using secure telecommunications, so your location within these provinces is not a barrier to getting focused, experienced employer-side advice.

What employment tribunals and courts do you appear before?

We represent employers before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, the Ministry of Labour, the BC Human Rights Tribunal, the BC Employment Standards Branch, and arbitration panels under collective agreements. We also handle appeals to the Divisional Court and the Court of Appeal for Ontario where necessary.

Speak With an Employer Lawyer in Ontario or BC

If your organization is facing an employment law issue, tell us what is happening and a member of our employer law team will respond promptly with practical advice on your next steps. You can also reach us at 1-800-771-7882. We advise and represent employers in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver, and throughout Ontario and British Columbia.