Wrongfully Dismissed

If your employer changed your job or the work conditions have changed,

click here for information regarding constructive dismissal.

Your employer may have breached the terms of your employment agreement and, potentially, the Employment Standards Act.

But first, have you been asked to accept/sign a severance offer? Wait, don’t sign! The first offer from your employer is rarely, if ever, fair.

Despite what your employer may say about you needing to sign, that is simply not true. Once you sign and accept the severance package, you cannot later claim additional severance under the common law. This could be many thousands of dollars and months of severance versus weeks. You may also be awarded additional damages depending on your employer’s conduct.

Have us review your severance offer before you sign so we can get you what you’re truly entitled to under the common law.

Note that an employer can terminate you for any reason, or no reason at all and they are not required to tell you the reason. They often offer the minimum severance under the Employment Standards Act and hope you’ll go away.

The minimum rarely reflects the particular situation and this why your employer’s offer must be aligned with the common law, which is often much more.

Simply put, there’s no reason to settle for less than your full entitlements.

Once we review your situation, your options on how to move forward will be clear.

We’re among the top-rated employment law firms in Ontario with an exceptional track record of positive outcomes. See our outstanding Google Reviews further down this page.

We understand you need a speedy and optimal result at a fair price.

Finding out if we can help costs you nothing.

Here’s how it works:

Unlike other law firms, the people you speak with aren’t simple “appointment setters.” They’re adept in determining if speaking to one of our lawyers can help you. And isn’t that what you need to know right now? …without spending a cent?

If our intake specialist recommends a “Strategy Session” with one of our lawyers, you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing you’re on track to resolve your issue efficiently.

Call now to speak with an intake specialist free of charge and find out if a Strategy Session is right for you.

Why Choose Achkar Law?

Employment Law Focus

Our lawyers specialize in employment law, ensuring you have the right expertise in your corner.

Personalized Approach

Each case is unique. The legal strategy will address the details of your particular circumstances.

Strong Advocacy

We fearlessly take on even the most formidable employers to protect your rights.

Client-Centric Focus

Your best interests are our top priority. We’re here to guide you through the negotiation process with compassion and dedication.

Ontario-Based

We have a deep understanding of Ontario’s employment laws, regulations, and precedents, providing you with a local and strategic advantage.

Transparent Communication

We believe in clear and open communication. You’ll always be well-informed about the progress of your case.

Informed Decision-Making

We review your case, provide tailored recommendations, and empower you with the knowledge to make informed decisions. Your future is in your hands, and we’re here to support your choices for a positive outcome.

Curtis R

I had to update my review. After conversation with Charles,I can say they do care about their clients and take care of and issues that might arise.He is friendly and very fair, I'm thankful we resolved our minor misunderstanding, and will proceed in a positive manner..Cheers Charles 🍻

Response from the owner: Dear Curtis,Thank you for your message. I wanted to address the concerns you recently shared regarding our services. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and I appreciate the opportunity to clarify our approach and commitment to our clients.First and foremost, please know that we deeply care about each of our clients and are committed to providing the highest level of service. Our team strives to approach every case with empathy, diligence, and a genuine desire to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients.Regarding your specific case, our dedicated team conducted a thorough investigation into your situation. Through our work together, we were able to identify alternative avenues that could potentially allow you to advance your claim through civil court and administrative processes despite the obstacles you faced.We continue to be ready to help, but we just can't eliminate risk from cases and have to deal with the facts of every situation as they present themselves.I am personally happy to discuss this further with you. Please email me at [email protected] and I'd be happy to discuss this more.Kind regards,Chris

Jean Sagasag

I recently had a consultation with Charlie Millar and I was impressed with his knowledge and understanding of my situation. He was honest and kind. My experience was very positive and I will be recommending him to family and friends.

F Lauw

Had a great consultation with Chris! He was able to see me quite quickly and put me at ease during a very stressful time with his expertise and clear questions. He provided me with multiple options based on my situation and set me on course in the right direction. Thank you!!

Anthony Dinatale

Chris was super helpful and amazing to work with.

Alain Matar

I recently had a consultation with Charlie Millar, and I must say, the experience from start to finish was outstanding. From the initial contact with the company to accommodating an urgent call, everything was handled seamlessly. Charles was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable, showing a clear understanding of my situation. I'm thoroughly impressed and will definitely reach out to him for any future inquiries

Monique Crichton

I had a consultation with an employment lawyer and it went so well. Leading up to the meeting the clerk was responsive, informative and helpful; not to mention very polite. When I had the opportunity to sit with the lawyer she was friendly, attentive, and very well educated. She gave me honest answers to all my questions and provided me with all my options very clearly. It was a pleasure to talk with her and it made me feel a lot better about my situation. She calmed me down and made me feel heard and that I am not alone.I would recommend them to others.

mike battista

Initially, when I had the opportunity to speak with Charles Millar. I was impressed. I consider him a "man of refreshing candour", knowledge, and kindness. I have been dealing with Charles now for several months. He follows up in a timely manner. He's been on point with his recommendations; I feel very confident that his action plans are very well thought out and structured. It has been a pleasure consulting with him. I will be recommending him to friends and family. True professionals like Charles are definitely hard to come by.Thank you.

Christina

Mariel was informative and well knowledged the team takes time to express their care and concern . Worth the consult . They provided me so much direction with confidence . Thank you !!

kenneth smith

The whole team, from the start with Rachel and Charles to the conclusion of the hard work and success by Natalie was very positive. I have never been in a situation of constructive dismissal or without a job. They were an outstanding resource and well worth it. I hope they continue to expand their business and hopefully come out west. I would certainly recommend this company and particularly Natalie.

Derrick Ransom

A very positive experience with professional and forward thinking individuals. Thank you for the hard work.

Marco Tasca

Excellent, professional and thorough. Communication was always clear and concise and they were open and available for questions and support throughout the whole process. Everyone I dealt with at the office was great. Thank you Madison, Charles and Natalie for your quality work! Couldn't be happier with the process from beginning to end and of course, the result.

Kay Zee

Christopher was extremely supportive during a transitional period at my workplace. Together, we explored my options, and his guidance was consistently insightful. I had an outstanding experience and would certainly enlist his services again anytime in the future.

Matthew Mccormick

I had spoken with Mariel. She was really sympathetic and made everything easy to understand. Calmed my nerves and explained everything fully.

Leandra LeGendre

I had the pleasure of working with Chris regarding a severance package. He was thorough, asked great questions, and made sure things I hadn't thought about were covered and that I was being treated fairly. In addition to being happy with the quality of Chris' work, he was kind and even asked about my daughter. He clearly cares about people and that value came through in our conversations which I appreciated.

Rachel Lea Heide

My first consultation meeting with associate lawyer Mariel was very positive and helpful. I really appreciated her questions, empathy, listening, and expertise and advice she was able to give even at the very beginning of my file. If my work situation doesn't improve, I do look forward to working with Mariel and the Achkar Law firm team to tackle the issues.

Severance FAQs

What is a reasonable severance package in Canada?

A reasonable severance package in Canada varies substantially based on the circumstances of the employee. While there are many factors which can contribute to the calculation of a reasonable package, there are common factors which are typically considered, known as the Bardal factors.

Do I need a lawyer to negotiate severance?

Employees can try to negotiate alone, but almost always, a lawyer can get them more. Seeking the advice of an experienced employment lawyer helps a dismissed employee understand whether the severance package they are offered is reasonable in comparison with what a judge will likely give them.

How do I get a good severance package?

An employment lawyer is likely in the best position to assess the appropriate severance package of an employee who has been let go. A good lawyer will know how and when to negotiate, and when to initiate a Statement of Claim to get defendants to pay you through settlement or a court order.

Is termination of employment the same as being fired?

Yes – having your employment terminated by your employer is the same as being fired or let go. A termination of employment is either with or without cause, which affects whether or not you are entitled to termination pay. Sometimes employers try to claim that a termination is for cause when it is not. Wrongful dismissal is when an employee is told they are in fact fired or dismissed.

What are my rights if my employment is terminated?

As an employee, if your employment is terminated without cause – that is, through no fault of your own, you are entitled to termination pay, or common law reasonable notice or pay in lieu. If you are an employee and have been terminated, contact an experienced employment lawyer to help assess your case.

Can an employer fire you for no reason in Ontario?

In Ontario, employers are able to dismiss an employee without reason – as long as the reason is not related to Human Rights. Employers have to provide the appropriate amount of notice or termination pay to the dismissed employee. The appropriate amount of notice will largely depend on the employment agreement if applicable, and if not, on common law reasonable notice.

Here’s how it works: