Ottawa Employment Lawyers
Lost Your Job? Need an Ottawa Employment Lawyer?
David Ertl, one of the top Ottawa employment lawyers, has served the community for almost 20 years, representing employees who have faced workplace issues such as wrongful dismissal, constructive dismissal, terminations with cause, layoffs, harassment, bullying, and discrimination.
Ottawa Employment Lawyers – Serving Ottawa and Surrounding Area
Communities we service include:
City of Ottawa • Kanata • Nepean • Buckingham • Thuro • Clarence-Rockland • Russell • North Grenville • Mississippi Mills • Carlton Place • Arnprior • Winchester • Kemptville • Smith Falls
Some Things You Should Know About Ertl Lawyers
Free Consultation With Ottawan Employment Lawyers
We are pleased to provide you with a complimentary phone consultation without any obligations or commitments with a legal professional. Our consultation service has been highly praised by our clients, who have given us five-star Google reviews. During the free consultation, we will give our initial thoughts on your severance package and discuss important topics like costs and timing. This free consultation does not include reviewing employment agreements, termination letters, non-solicitation agreements, etc. If you want us to review those, we charge a flat fee for this service. We take pride in offering what we believe to be the industry’s top consultation service and are confident that it will be beneficial to you.
Contingency Fees Available [Don’t Pay Unless We Improve Your Severance Pay]
In most cases, we offer contingency fees for wrongful dismissal cases. This means that our fee is based on the improvement we make to your severance package. However, some clients prefer fixed/flat fee billing. Call us to discuss your matter, and we will explain in clear terms how much our service will cost you.
You Will Work With a Leading Ottawa Employment Lawyer [Not A Junior Lawyer]
David Ertl is a highly experienced employment lawyer with a successful track record of over 20 years in practice. As one of the leading Ottawa employment lawyers, he has represented employees of all levels, including c-suite executives, managers, licensed professionals, salespersons, tradespersons, and general labourers. Throughout his career, he has effectively negotiated thousands of severance packages and recovered millions of dollars in wrongfully withheld severance.
When it comes to employment law, it’s incredibly important to have an recognized expert by your side. You’ll want to steer clear of junior or inexperienced lawyers, or those who only dabble in employment law now and then. With David Ertl’s expertise and experience in this field, you can feel confident navigating the complex legal aspects of employment law.
What You Need To Know Right Now About Your Termination
1. Severance Offer “Deadline”
When considering a severance package, it’s crucial to keep in mind that the initial offer might not be your ex-employer’s best offer. Signing too soon could mean losing out on a significant amount of severance pay.
If you’re facing a deadline for accepting a severance offer, it’s important to know that it typically doesn’t affect your entitlements. So, if you’re uncertain about the deadline, it can be a good idea to request more time from your employer to consider the offer. Most employers will provide extra time. Taking this step can help reduce stress and give you the opportunity to seek advice from a reputable Ottawa employment lawyer.
2. Your Employment Contract Should Be Reviewed By Ottawa Employment Lawyers
If you have been terminated from your job, it’s important to review your employment contract, as it may outline the specific amount of severance pay you are entitled to upon termination. However, it’s crucial to be aware that there are certain circumstances where the terms of the agreement may not be legally binding. In such cases, you may have a legal right to seek additional compensation beyond what is initially stated in the contract.
Given the complexity of employment law, it’s highly recommended to seek guidance from a qualified employment lawyer in Ottawa. They can help you navigate the legal aspects of your termination and determine if you are entitled to further compensation based on the specific details of your situation. Please do not hesitate to contact us for assistance.
3. Calculating Severance Pay
In Ontario, your severance pay isn’t limited to two weeks per year of employment. The amount you receive is determined by factors like your age, length of service, job type, and employability.
Use our severance pay calculator to estimate your potential severance pay and then discuss the results with us.
4. Limitation Periods
With few exceptions, a terminated employee has two years from termination to claim full severance pay from their employer. If you have any questions about limitation periods, it is best to consult with an Ottawa employment lawyer.
5. Ontario Ministry of Labour Complaint vs. Ottawa Employment Lawyers
If you need advice on common law severance pay, it’s best to avoid reaching out to government ministries like the Ministry of Labour. These ministries can only guide you on your minimum entitlements under the Employment Standards Act, not your maximum entitlements under common law.
Filing a complaint with Ontario’s Ministry of Labour for your minimum severance pay could prevent you from pursuing your maximum severance pay under common law. However, seeking help from experienced Ottawa employment lawyers can improve your chances of receiving the severance package you deserve.
6. Terminations with “Just Cause”
If you were fired for “just cause” and your employer did not provide you with any severance pay, it’s important to remember that this is only your employer’s argument. To deny severance pay for “just cause,” employers must substantiate serious misconduct, such as theft. If you’re concerned about your rights, take action and seek assistance
My role of seven years was eliminated due to an organizational restructuring. Referred to David through a mutual contact, I was immediately set at ease during our first conversation and, through his skills, experience and approach, he confidently guided me to achieve the optimal result for my situation.
– S.F., OTTAWA
Severance Pay Calculator
Free Employment Guides by Ottawa Employment Lawyers
6th edition This guide provides information on common severance pay issues, including:
✓ Responding to the employer “deadline”
✓ Key mistakes to avoid
✓ Lump sum vs. salary continuation
✓ “Short service” employees
✓ Employees 45 years and older
6th edition This guide provides information on “cause” terminations, including:
✓ What is cause?
✓ Why the employer is probably wrong!
✓ Factors that really matter
✓ Can I still get E.I.?
✓ Bad references
6th edition This guide provides information on constructive dismissal, including:
✓ 20 common “constructive dismissals”
✓ Whether you should resign
✓ What happens to my E.I. benefits?
✓ Layoffs!
✓ The “toxic” work environment
6th edition This guide provides information on discrimination and harassment in the workplace, including:
✓ Types of discrimination
✓ Types of harassment
✓ Bill 168
✓ Remedies
✓ Tribunal vs. court
Example Cases Won by Ertl Lawyers: Ottawa Employment Lawyers
In Drysdale v. Panasonic Canada Inc., 2015 68678 (CanLII), David Ertl of Ertl Lawyers, represented an employee who was terminated from Panasonic. David was able to get his client, a warehouse employee, 22 months of severance.
Ottawa Employment Lawyers: Videos
How Much Severance Am I Entitled To?
How Age Affects Severance Pay
Severance Pay if You’re Over 45
Ottawa Employment Lawyers: Blog Posts
Pay Cut Laws: Can My Employer Reduce My Wages in Ontario?
The answer is yes; an employer can reduce your wages in Ontario, as they can in other Canadian provinces. Employers are allowed to make minor changes to your employment, including small reductions in your pay (with exceptions). They can also make significant changes...
The Right to Disconnect in Canada: Everything You Need to Know
On December 2, 2021, the Ontario government amended the Employment Standards Act, 2000, (ESA), when it passed Bill 27, known as the Working for Workers Act, 2021. The amendment made headlines primarily because it was purportedly giving Ontario workers the “right to...
What is a Performance Improvement Plan & What Does it Entail?
A performance improvement plan (PIP) can be a legitimate management tool used to help employees shore up deficiencies in their speed or quality of work, or to address any behaviour-related concerns. It can also be used as an excuse to fire an employee for cause when...
How Much Is Your Severance Pay?
Common law severance pay is different for everyone and depends on such things as your age, length of service, the type of job you had, and the number of available jobs in the marketplace. Consult with Ertl Lawyers today to understand your rights and to make sure you don’t leave anything on the table.
Ottawa Employment Lawyers