Lawyers Who Practice Employment Law
Our employment lawyers have extensive experience representing clients throughout Windsor and Essex County. Click on a lawyer below to learn more.
Your job is more than a paycheck. It's your family's stability, your daily routine, your sense of who you are — and when it's suddenly on the line, the stress can be overwhelming.
At Stipic Binder Drake Reynolds LLP, we have spent decades standing beside employees across Windsor and Ontario, helping them protect everything they have worked to build. We take the time to understand your situation, explain your options in plain language, and treat you with respect when you need it most.
Table of Contents
- Reviewing Your Employment Contract
- Wrongful Dismissal and Severance
- Constructive Dismissal
- Workplace Harassment and Discrimination
- FAQ About Employment Law in Ontario
- Should I have a lawyer review my employment contract before I sign?
- What is wrongful dismissal?
- How much severance am I entitled to?
- What is constructive dismissal?
- Should I sign the severance package my employer offered?
- What can I do about harassment or a toxic workplace?
- Is there a time limit to make an employment claim?
- Will my case have to go to court?
- Were You Treated Unfairly at Work? Talk to Our Windsor Employment Lawyers
Reviewing Your Employment Contract
Your employment contract sets the terms of your working relationship, including your pay, your duties, and what happens if the job ends. Before you sign a new contract, it is worth having a lawyer review it so you understand what you are agreeing to and whether the terms are fair. We help employees review and, where appropriate, negotiate the terms of an offer so you can start a new position with confidence.
Wrongful Dismissal and Severance
If you were fired, laid off, or dismissed without cause, you are generally entitled to reasonable notice of the dismissal or a severance package in its place. What many employees do not realize is that the amount may be far higher than the minimums in the Employment Standards Act, and higher than what the employer first offers.
Employers sometimes ask you to sign a severance offer quickly, without mentioning that you have the right to have it reviewed first. Before you sign anything, talk to a lawyer. We can review your situation, explain what reasonable notice may look like in your case, and help you seek a fairer settlement.
Constructive Dismissal
Constructive dismissal happens when an employer makes a fundamental change to the terms of your job or compensation, or allows a harmful work environment to continue. In some cases, you may be able to treat the situation as a dismissal, resign, and pursue a severance package. You may have a claim if any of the following apply to you:
- Your employer has made the workplace intolerable.
- Your work environment has become poisoned or toxic.
- You are being required to take on far more work than was originally agreed.
- Your employer changed your contract without proper notice or a corresponding change in pay.
- You were given more responsibility with no change in compensation or notice of a raise.
- Your role changed and you were demoted.
Constructive dismissal can be complicated, and resigning at the wrong time can affect your rights. If you are thinking about leaving because of changes to your job or a toxic atmosphere, speak with a lawyer first so you understand your options.
Workplace Harassment and Discrimination
No one should have to endure harassment or discrimination at work. When an employer permits a toxic environment, or treats you unfairly based on a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code, you may have grounds to act. We help employees understand their rights and decide on the best way forward, whether that means raising the issue, negotiating an exit, or pursuing a claim.
FAQ About Employment Law in Ontario
Should I have a lawyer review my employment contract before I sign?
It is a smart step. An employment contract sets your pay, your duties, and what happens if the job ends, and some terms can limit your rights down the road. Having a lawyer review the contract before you sign helps you understand what you are agreeing to and whether the terms are fair.
What is wrongful dismissal?
Wrongful dismissal generally means you were let go without cause and without proper notice or the severance you are owed. It does not necessarily mean the employer needed a reason to end your employment, but it does mean they have to provide reasonable notice or pay in its place. We can review whether you received what you are entitled to.
How much severance am I entitled to?
It depends on factors such as your age, your role, how long you worked there, and how easily you can find similar work. The minimums in the Employment Standards Act are often just a starting point, and your common-law entitlement may be significantly higher. We can review your situation and explain what reasonable notice may look like for you.
What is constructive dismissal?
Constructive dismissal happens when an employer makes a major change to your job or compensation, or allows a toxic work environment to continue, to the point that it amounts to ending your employment. In some cases, you may be able to resign and pursue a severance package, but timing matters, so it is best to get advice first.
Should I sign the severance package my employer offered?
Not before you understand it. Employers sometimes present an offer as final and ask you to sign quickly, but you usually have the right to have it reviewed. The first offer is often lower than what you may be entitled to. Talk to a lawyer before you sign away your rights.
What can I do about harassment or a toxic workplace?
You have options. Depending on the situation, that might mean raising the issue with your employer, making a human rights claim, or treating a poisoned work environment as a constructive dismissal. We can help you understand your rights and choose the approach that best protects you.
Is there a time limit to make an employment claim?
Yes. Different claims have different deadlines, and waiting too long can affect your rights. Because the time limits depend on the type of claim, it is best to speak with a lawyer as soon as you can after a dismissal or a problem at work.
Will my case have to go to court?
Often, no. Many employment matters are resolved through negotiation, which is usually faster, more private, and less stressful than a trial. Going to court is sometimes necessary, but it is rarely the first step. We will explain which approach makes the most sense for your situation.
Were You Treated Unfairly at Work? Talk to Our Windsor Employment Lawyers
Before you sign a severance offer or walk away from your job, find out what you are really owed. Our Windsor employment lawyers are ready to listen, explain your rights, and help you take the next step with confidence. Call us at (519) 254-6433 or contact us online to get started. We help clients in Windsor, Tecumseh, LaSalle, Belle River, Kingsville, Leamington, Chatham-Kent, Sarnia-Lambton, and across Ontario.