At Howie Sacks & Henry LLP, our Toronto employment lawyers take great pride in assisting clients with their employment law matters. We realize that when your employment has been negatively impacted or interrupted, it can be incredibly stressful.
We are here to help.
In addition to being an award-winning law firm, our lawyers operate with a high standard of care that benefits our clients. We are consistently recommended by clients and peers due to our commitment to excellence and results.
Our legal expertise in employment law focuses on employees. We can assist clients at all levels of court, tribunals, mediations, arbitrations, adjudications and other forms of dispute resolution services.
We can also directly deal with your employer on your behalf toward the resolution of your legal matter.
Employment law matters we can assist with include but are not limited to:
- Wrongful Dismissal
- Severance Packages
- Termination Disputes
- Employment Standards
- Employment Statutory Minimums
- Disability Leave
- Termination Clauses
- Constructive Dismissal
- Bad Faith Dismissal
- Terminations for Cause
- Notice Period or Pay in Lieu
- Employees’ Duty to Mitigate
- Employer’s Duty to Accommodate
- Exit Agreements
- Executive Severance
- And more
For more information on how we can help, contact our law firm today!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does an employment lawyer cost?
At Howie Sacks & Henry LLP, we only work on a contingency fee basis in accordance with the Law Society of Ontario rules and regulations. This means you do not pay any fees upfront. A fee is only charged when we settle your case or win at trial. The percentage is agreed upon by all parties when the retainer agreement is signed. For more information, please visit the Fees page on our website.
2. When should I hire an employment lawyer?
If you are in dispute with your employer or have been terminated without cause, been treated unfairly by your employer, been forced to sign agreements against your own will, have been fired, provided a severance package or feel your rights are being denied or unfairly challenged – contact one of our employment lawyers; we’re here to help.
3. How do free consultations work for employment law inquiries?
During your free consultation, a member of our legal team will go over your case details with you. We will be able to advise you during this consultation. If you agree to hire us, we will send you a retainer agreement (and accompanying information so everything is thoroughly explained) for your review and signature. Once the agreement has been signed can we start working on your case.
4. What areas do you serve in Ontario?
While our head office is located in downtown Toronto, we are equipped to assist clients throughout Ontario. We can arrange to meet with you locally, arrange meetings via video conference, and work to have any court proceedings handled through your local courts.
5. What is wrongful termination in Ontario?
Wrongful termination is also commonly referred to as wrongful dismissal. This occurs when an employee has been terminated without being given reasonable notice. There are different types of wrongful terminations. For example, when an employee is fired without cause or if they have been terminated inappropriately are two examples. For more information on wrongful termination, speak with one of our employment lawyers.
6. Do I get a severance pay if I get fired?
There are many factors that go into answering this question. For example, while you may be eligible for severance pay if you’ve been terminated, you may not receive any severance pay if you were terminated for proven misconduct, for example. We recommend speaking with an employment lawyer regarding your specific circumstances to answer this question more accurately.
7. How is severance pay calculated in Ontario?
Ontario’s Employment Standards Act (ESA) and common law both govern how severance pay is calculated. While there are other factors that go into whether or not an employee is eligible for severance pay, we always recommend speaking with an employment lawyer if you’ve been given a severance package. Considerations such as your age, employability, length of time with your existing employer, etc., are also criteria that are taken into consideration when determining your severance pay.
8. What is constructive dismissal in Ontario?
Constructive dismissal occurs when an employee is offered an option of leaving or agrees to revised conditions of their employment. Before agreeing to either of these situations, we recommend you consult with an employment lawyer.
9. How is workplace harassment defined?
The Government of Ontario defines workplace harassment in the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) as “engaging in a course of vexatious comment or conduct against a worker in a workplace that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome”. In a situation like this we recommend speaking with an employment lawyer as well.
Schedule a free consultation with our Toronto employment lawyers
If you or a loved one require legal assistance on an employment law matter, contact our law firm to schedule a free consultation with our employment law team. During this consultation, we will go over details of your case with you and advise you on how we can help. We respond to all inquiries within 24 hours. You can schedule a consultation by filling out our online form, calling us or via live chat. Regardless of where you live in Ontario, we can help!
