The Pelsmakher Law Blog.
Practical, Canadian-law guidance for employees and employers navigating change at work.
When Can an Employer Rely on Frustration of Contract? New Court Decision Highlights the Limits
A recent employment law case serves as an important reminder that employers cannot simply rely on the doctrine of frustration of contract whenever an employee is unable to return to work due to illness or disability.
Microsoft Layoffs Are a Reminder About Wrongful Dismissal in Ontario
Even the largest, most successful employers cut jobs without warning. If you've been let go, being dismissed does not mean you've received everything you're owed.
Is Your Termination Clause Actually Enforceable? (Employers, Read This)
A single flawed sentence can void your entire termination clause and expose you to full common law severance. Here's what Ontario employers need to know.
Do You Need Written Employment Contracts? A Guide for Employers
A properly drafted contract is one of the cheapest ways to limit liability, and one of the most commonly skipped. Here's what's actually at stake.
Caught in a Mass Layoff? You May Be Owed More Than You Think
When an employer terminates a large group of employees at once, Ontario law triggers enhanced notice rules. Here's what mass termination actually means for you.
How Much Severance Am I Really Entitled to in Ontario?
Most employees are entitled to far more than their employer's first offer. Here's how severance is actually calculated under Ontario law.
"Your Role Has Been Eliminated" — Do You Still Get Severance?
Employers often frame a termination as a restructuring or role elimination. It sounds different, but your legal entitlements usually aren't.
Wrongful vs. Constructive Dismissal: What's the Difference?
You don't need to be fired to have been dismissed. Here's how Ontario law treats a job that changed too much to still be the one you agreed to.
The State of Non-Competes in Canada: Provincial Bans and a Coming Federal Change
Ontario already bans most non-competes, other provinces regulate them, and Ottawa is now contemplating a federal ban. Here's the national picture, and where it's heading.