Employment Law
Employment Lawyers in Ontario
Workplace disputes can leave you feeling vulnerable and uncertain about your future. Whether you're facing wrongful dismissal, navigating severance negotiations, or dealing with human rights concerns, the relationship between employers and employees can become complex and overwhelming. At UL Lawyers Professional Corporation, our employment lawyers understand the emotional and financial toll these situations take on you and your family.
For over 10 years, we've provided strategic, compassionate, and results-driven representation to workers across Ontario, helping hundreds of clients secure the benefits and compensation they deserve. Based in Burlington, our experienced employment lawyers serve clients throughout the GTA, including Toronto, Hamilton, Mississauga, and Brampton. We combine legal excellence with a personal touch, taking the time to understand your unique circumstances and guide you through every step of the legal process. Our team is committed to protecting your rights and pursuing the best possible outcome for your situation. If you're facing an employment law matter, you don't have to navigate it alone. Call us today at 905-744-8888 to discuss your case and explore your options with a team that truly cares about your future.
High-intent services
Focused employment services
If you need a faster path to the right answer, start with the pages that deal with the highest-intent employment issues.
Employment Contract Review
Review termination clauses, bonuses, commissions, restrictive covenants, probation, and benefit language before you sign.
Termination for Cause
Respond to just-cause allegations, protect severance rights, and challenge misconduct claims before you accept the employer's version.
Experienced Employment Lawyers Serving Ontario
UL Lawyers Professional Corporation provides comprehensive employment law representation for both employees and employers across Ontario. Based in Burlington and serving clients throughout Toronto, Hamilton, Mississauga, Brampton, and the GTA, our employment lawyers understand the complexities of workplace disputes and the significant impact they have on your livelihood and business operations.
Whether you're facing wrongful dismissal, navigating constructive dismissal, or managing workplace compliance issues, our team offers strategic guidance grounded in current Ontario employment law. We represent employees who have been terminated without adequate notice or severance, as well as employers dealing with complex termination decisions, employment contracts, and workplace policies. Our team includes experienced counsel, associate lawyers, and dedicated support staff who work collaboratively on each case. From articling student to associate positions, our legal professionals bring diverse perspectives and thorough research to every matter.
What Our Clients Say
"Mr. Sunish Rai Uppal's exceptional legal assistance in getting my stuck compensation from an employer was smooth and professional."
— Muskan Ahuja, Employment Compensation client
"Praised solid advice on severance claim matters."
— Mahed Husayn, Severance client
"The team at UL Lawyers exceeded my expectations! They were experienced, understanding, and professional, working diligently to meet client needs."
— Ashley Kumar
What Our Employment Lawyers Handle
Our employment law practice covers a broad range of workplace matters, including:
- Wrongful dismissal and termination disputes – Employees may be entitled to significantly more than the Employment Standards Act minimums, typically between 3 to 24 months of compensation depending on factors such as age, length of service, and position
- Constructive dismissal claims – When fundamental changes to your role, compensation, or working conditions effectively end your employment
- Severance package review and negotiation – Ensuring you receive fair compensation before signing any release
- Employment contract drafting and review – Protecting both employers and employees with clear, enforceable agreements
- Workplace human rights violations – Addressing discrimination, harassment, and reprisal claims
In our experience, many employees accept initial severance offers without realizing they may be entitled to substantially more under common law. With the two-year limitation period to file wrongful dismissal claims in Ontario, early legal advice is critical to preserving your rights.
Our Burlington team works closely with clients across Ontario to resolve employment disputes efficiently, whether through negotiation, mediation, or litigation. If your workplace matter involves related issues such as long-term disability benefits or other legal concerns, we coordinate comprehensive representation to protect your interests.
Common Employment Law Issues in Ontario
Workplace legal disputes affect thousands of Ontario employees each year. Employment lawyers regularly handle cases ranging from inadequate severance packages to human rights violations. Understanding your legal rights can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case and the compensation you may receive.
Wrongful Dismissal and Severance Disputes
Wrongful dismissal remains one of the most frequently litigated employment issues in Ontario. When employers terminate employees without cause, they must provide reasonable notice or pay in lieu. Many workers are unaware that common law notice periods typically exceed Employment Standards Act minimums—sometimes substantially.
Under the ESA, eligible employees may receive up to 34 weeks of combined termination and severance pay. However, common law entitlements often range from 3 to 24 months of compensation, depending on several factors. Our lawyers analyze your employment history, age, position, and job market conditions to assess your potential entitlements accurately.
Key factors affecting severance calculations include:
- Length of service with the employer
- Age at termination
- Position and responsibility level
- Availability of similar employment opportunities
- Terms of your employment contract
We recently helped a Burlington client who was initially offered only eight weeks' severance after 12 years of service. Through negotiation, we secured a settlement equivalent to 14 months' pay—significantly more than the employer's original offer.
Workplace Discrimination and Human Rights Violations
The Ontario Human Rights Code protects employees from discrimination based on protected grounds including race, disability, gender identity, family status, and age. Employers have a duty to accommodate disabilities and family status up to the point of undue hardship.
Human rights complaints have increased in recent years as employees become more aware of their protections. Employment lawyers represent clients filing complaints with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, which has awarded damages up to $57,000 in cases involving reprisal and discrimination.
Common workplace discrimination scenarios include:
- Failure to accommodate medical conditions or disabilities
- Pregnancy or family status discrimination
- Age-based termination or demotion
- Harassment based on protected grounds
- Reprisal for asserting your legal rights
In our experience, employers often fail to properly document accommodation efforts or make unilateral changes that violate human rights protections. If you believe you've experienced workplace discrimination, documenting incidents and seeking legal advice promptly is essential. You generally have two years from the date of termination to file a wrongful dismissal claim, though Human Rights Tribunal deadlines may be shorter.
Our team has successfully represented clients across the GTA in complex human rights matters, securing both financial compensation and workplace policy changes. For cases involving workplace injuries or harassment leading to disability, we can also assist with long-term disability claims alongside your employment law matter.
Get Help From Our Burlington Employment Lawyers Today
Time is critical when dealing with wrongful dismissal, constructive dismissal, or severance disputes. In Ontario, you typically have two years from your termination date to file a wrongful dismissal claim, but waiting can weaken your position in negotiations. Early legal advice from experienced employment lawyers often leads to better outcomes in severance negotiations and helps preserve your rights under both the Employment Standards Act and common law.
Our Burlington office has helped employees throughout the Greater Toronto Area secure fair compensation after termination. We recently assisted a client who was pressured to sign a release within 48 hours—after reviewing their employment contract and calculating their common law entitlements, we negotiated a severance package worth significantly more than the employer's initial offer.
Why Acting Quickly Matters:
- Limitation periods may be shorter for certain claims, including Human Rights Tribunal complaints
- Evidence preservation becomes more difficult as time passes and memories fade
- Negotiating leverage typically decreases once you've accepted interim payments or signed partial releases
- Common law entitlements often exceed ESA minimums, but require proper legal analysis of your employment contract
In our experience handling employment law matters across Ontario, clients who seek advice before signing any documents generally achieve more favourable settlements. One client came to us after being told they had only 24 hours to accept a severance offer—we explained that such arbitrary deadlines do not override their legal right to consultation, and we successfully negotiated additional months of compensation.
Typical Severance Ranges in Ontario (2026)
Common law severance is calculated case by case, but Ontario courts apply consistent factors: age, length of service, position, and availability of similar work. The ranges below show what we see most often in negotiated settlements and judgments — your case may fall outside these ranges depending on contract language, manner of dismissal, and bad-faith conduct.
- Under 1 year of service: typically 1–3 months of pay, often equal to ESA minimum if a valid termination clause applies.
- 1–5 years of service: typically 3–9 months. Older workers and specialized roles often push toward the upper end.
- 5–15 years of service: typically 9–18 months. Mid- to senior-level employees often see 12–15 months.
- 15–25 years of service: typically 18–24 months. Long-tenured managers and executives frequently reach the upper limit.
- 25+ years of service or executive roles: 24–30 months is possible in exceptional cases — rarely above 24 unless the role was unique and re-employment is genuinely difficult.
Severance is not just base salary. A complete package includes continuation of benefits, bonus pro-ration, vacation pay, RRSP contributions, stock options or RSUs that would have vested during the notice period, and the value of any car allowance or other regular perquisites. Aggravated and punitive damages may apply where the dismissal was conducted in bad faith.
How Our Employment Lawyers Can Help:
- Severance review and negotiation to ensure you receive fair compensation based on your age, position, length of service, and availability of similar employment
- Contract analysis to identify unenforceable termination clauses that may entitle you to greater common law damages
- Constructive dismissal claims when employers make fundamental changes to your working conditions without consent
- Bad faith and aggravated damages claims when the manner of dismissal was misleading, humiliating, or unduly insensitive
Based in Burlington, we serve clients throughout Toronto, Hamilton, Mississauga, Oakville, Brampton, and the broader GTA. Our lawyers understand how Ontario courts assess wrongful dismissal claims and what factors may strengthen your case.
Contact our Burlington employment lawyers today for a consultation. Don't let tight deadlines pressure you into accepting less than you deserve—we're here to protect your rights and help you move forward with confidence. Call 905-744-8888 or request a consultation.
Official Resources
For authoritative information, refer to these government and regulatory sources:
- Ontario Employment Standards Act - Ontario government guide to employment standards
- Ontario Ministry of Labour - Ontario Ministry of Labour official resource
- WSIB Ontario - Workplace Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario
The Bardal Factors and What "Reasonable Notice" Actually Means
When Ontario courts assess wrongful dismissal, they apply the four Bardal v. Globe and Mail (1960) factors. Together these determine reasonable notice under common law — usually far more than the Employment Standards Act minimum.
- Length of service. Longer tenure shifts notice upward, but courts no longer apply a strict month-per-year rule.
- Age at termination. Older workers face longer re-employment timelines; this is the single biggest upward driver in many awards.
- Character of employment. Senior, specialized, or managerial roles attract longer notice than entry-level positions.
- Availability of similar employment. Tight labour markets, narrow specialties, and geographic limits all extend reasonable notice.
On top of base notice, Ontario courts award Honda v. Keays moral damages and punitive damages where the manner of dismissal was bad-faith — false cause allegations, public humiliation, or denying earned benefits at termination. Aggravated awards of $50,000 to $200,000+ are routine in egregious cases.
First Steps If You Have Just Been Terminated
- Do not sign anything immediately. A 24- or 48-hour deadline is artificial — the two-year limitation period is what matters in law.
- Get the offer in writing. Ask for the Record of Employment, the termination letter, and a written breakdown of every component of the offer.
- Document your role. Save your employment agreement, recent performance reviews, bonus letters, vesting schedules, and benefit summaries.
- Apply for Employment Insurance. Sign-on does not waive EI; receiving severance can defer benefits but does not eliminate them.
- Mitigate honestly. Begin a documented job search — failing to mitigate can reduce damages, but you do not need to take a clearly inferior role.
- Speak with an employment lawyer before the deadline. Most Ontario severance offers are negotiable; the package on the table is rarely the final number.
Severance Often Includes More Than Salary
- Continuation of group health and dental benefits, or the cash equivalent of premiums for the notice period.
- Pro-rated bonus, including discretionary bonuses paid in past years that have become an expectation of the role.
- Stock options or RSUs that would have vested during the notice period — termination provisions in the plan must comply with Matthews v. Ocean Nutrition.
- Pension or RRSP contributions and employer matching that would have continued during reasonable notice.
- Car allowance, parking, professional dues, and other recurring perquisites.
Related Resources
Explore these guides for more information:
- Your Guide to WSIB Insurance Ontario (23 min read)
- Employment Lawyer Mississauga (19 min read)
- Find the Best Employment Lawyer Brampton (19 min read)
- Finding an Employment Lawyer in Toronto (23 min read)
- Expert Employment Lawyer Burlington – Get the Help You Need (23 min read)
Last Updated: March 2026 | This page is reviewed quarterly to reflect current Ontario law.
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