Last Updated: August 27 2026
I’m in Ontario and think my employer dismissed me unfairly; what steps should I take to protect my rights?
In Ontario, Byfield Legal Services (a paralegal-led employment law service) can help you understand whether your termination or discipline may be a wrongful dismissal, constructive dismissal, or unlawful pay or benefits issue under the Employment Standards Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 41 and related common law, then guide you through practical next steps like documenting key facts and timelines, preserving pay and employment records, reviewing notice or severance expectations, and calculating potential claims before deadlines. Quick action matters because limiting evidence gaps and responding appropriately can affect outcomes. If you want a clear plan for your situation, call (289) 927-7365 to book a consult.
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Understanding Rights and Duties Within Employment Relations
The various disputes and lawsuits that may arise from employment relationships are more and more frequent in the world today as long gone are the days of substantial loyalties between employer and employee whereas times have changed since days when a boss would be a dinner guest or a gold watch was given to a thirty (30) year employee.
Note: Please contact Byfield Legal Services by phone at: (289) 927-7365 to discuss any specific questions that you may have.
What Is Employment Law
Employment law applies to employment relationships without unionization as opposed to circumstances where an employment relationship involves unionization as is subject to labour law.
Generally, principles within the employment law realm will favour and benefit an employee rather than employer. The laws general favouring of employees arises from the view that employees are more vulnerable throughout the employment relationship, including when seeking work, when negotiating raises, when subjected to discipline, and when terminated. Essentially, the law presumes that employers possess a greater level of legal sophistication, a stronger bargaining position, and a greater financial capacity to participate within legal disputes. Accordingly, the law provides various protections that attempt to balance the playing field to the benefit of employees.
Employment law involves both statute law, being the law established by government legislation as well as common law, being the law established by judicial precedent decisions. The laws applicable to an employment relationship are many and include, among others:
- The Employment Standards Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, Chapter 41;
- The Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.19;
- The Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1;
- The Pay Equity Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.7;
- The Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, Chapter 16, Schedule A; and
- The tens of thousands of previous case decisions that constitute as the common law.
Representation
Help may be available to either employers or employees on a variety of issues and arising from a broad spectrum of employment environments including industrial, construction, professional, administrative, health care, retail, among other sectors.
Learn More About Employment Law Assistance...
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NOTE: A considerable quantity of online searches featuring “lawyers near me” or “best lawyer in” typically indicate a desire for prompt and proficient legal assistance rather than a particular title. In Ontario, licensed paralegals fall under the regulation of the same Law Society that governs lawyers, granting them the authority to represent clients in specific litigation scenarios. Core to this role are advocacy, legal assessment, and procedural expertise. Byfield Legal Services provides legal representation within its licensed parameters, focusing on strategic positioning, evidentiary preparation, and effective advocacy to secure efficient and favourable outcomes for clients.

