Pickering Employment Lawyers
Lost Your Job? Need a Pickering Employment Lawyer?
With over 20 years of employment law knowledge and experience and a practice that extends across Ontario, David Ertl is regarded as one of the leading Pickering employment lawyers.
David has successfully resolved 1000s of employment matters involving wrongful dismissal, constructive dismissal, terminations with cause, layoffs, harassment, bullying, and discrimination.
He has recovered millions in wrongfully withheld compensation for his clients, including: salary, commissions, bonuses, promised pay raises, health benefits, insurance benefits, shares, stock options, car allowances, and more.
Pickering Employment Lawyers – We Serve Pickering and the GTA
We represent clients throughout Ontario including Pickering and the GTA:
Toronto • Mississauga • Newmarket • Richmond Hill • Markham • Vaughan • Ajax • Whitby • Oshawa • Oakville • Clarington
Some Things You Should Know About Ertl Lawyers
Free Consultation With Pickering Employment Lawyers
Ertl Lawyers offers a free phone consultation with a legal professional. Call us. We will discuss your matter and provide you with an initial assessment, as well as your options, costs, and timing. If, after the initial consult, you want us to review documents (such as an employment agreement, termination letter, or severance package) then we can provide this service for you for a reduced, fixed fee amount.
Contingency Fees Available
Many of our clients ask for “contingency fees.” With a contingency fee, we charge a percentage of how much we improve your severance package.
However, in other cases, clients prefer a fixed/flat fee billing method.
In almost all cases, no upfront retainer is required. In other words, we are paid when you get paid.
Call us today to discuss your matter and which billing method you prefer. We’ll explain the benefits of each.
You Will Work With a Leading Pickering Employment Lawyer – Not A Junior Lawyer
When you hire Ertl Lawyers, you get David Ertl. You will not be handed off to a junior lawyer.
David is a recognized employment lawyer who has negotiated 1000s of severance packages and, where necessary, has successfully taken matters to trial.
He has represented employees in every industry, including information technology, banking, financial services, manufacturing, transportation, education, insurance, entertainment, advertising/marketing, government, medicine, etc.
He represents all employees, including C-suite executives, management, licensed professionals, bankers, salespersons, educators, tradespersons, equipment operators, administrators, and general labourers.
When it comes to employment law, having a recognized expert by your side is crucial. With David Ertl’s track record as one of the leading Pickering employment lawyers, you can be confident you are in the right hands.
What You Need To Know Right Now About Your Termination
1. Severance Offer “Deadline”
Most severance offers come with a deadline to sign them.
Employers do this to create pressure, hoping you will sign out of fear.
Deadlines typically have no effect on your entitlements.
The important thing to remember is that if you sign too soon, without consulting an employment lawyer, you could be forfeiting significant severance pay.
Most employers will provide additional time to review the severance package. So, if you are worried about the deadline, asking for some additional time usually won’t hurt.
In the meantime, contact one of the leading Pickering employment lawyers, David Ertl, for your free consultation.
2. Your Employment Contract Should Be Reviewed By Pickering Employment Lawyers
If you have been fired from your job, your employment agreement might outline the amount of severance pay you are eligible to receive. However, in certain situations, the agreement might not be legally binding, which could mean that you have a right to more compensation than what is stated in the agreement. It is recommended that you consult with an employment lawyer in Pickering to determine your entitlement. Please reach out to us today if you need help.
3. Calculating Severance Pay
No law limits your severance entitlements to two weeks per year of employment. In Ontario, your severance pay is determined by various factors such as legislation, your employment agreement, and common law.
The main factors that determine common law severance pay are age, length of service, the type of job you had, and your employability.
You can try our severance pay calculator to estimate your potential severance pay. Then, discuss your results with Pickering employment lawyers, like Ertl Lawyers.
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, consult with a Pickering employment lawyer.
5. The Ontario Ministry of Labour or Pickering Employment Lawyers?
It is important to know that Ontario’s Ministry of Labour only enforces minimum standards. You would only go to the Ministry of Labour if you wanted minimum termination and severance pay under the Employment Standards Act. It cannot help you to get your maximum entitlements under the common law.
Moreover, if you file a complaint with Ontario’s Ministry of Labour for your minimum severance pay, and fail to withdraw your complaint within prescribed timelines, you will be barred from commencing a civil claim.
For common law severance pay, the answer is clear. It is best to seek help from experienced Pickering employment lawyers. We can greatly improve your chances of receiving the severance package you deserve.
6. Terminations with “Just Cause”
If you were terminated for “just cause” and did not receive any severance pay, it is important to remember that this is only your employer’s argument. Employers must prove serious misconduct, such as theft, to deny severance pay for “just cause”. If you’re concerned about your rights, seek help.
My case was handled with great professionalism and care, and most importantly, no issue was left out. Everything was discussed, updated and well-prepared ahead of time. I would strongly recommend David… just one more thing I forgot to mention… I got a great result! Great job, David.
– S.L., DENTAL INDUSTRY, PICKERING
Severance Pay Calculator
Free Employment Guides by Pickering 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: Pickering Employment Lawyers
In Patterson v. IBM Canada Limited, 2017 ONSC 1264 (CanLII), employment lawyer David Ertl was able to obtain an award of 18 months of severance pay and benefits for Mr. Patterson after he was terminated from IBM.
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.
Pickering Employment Lawyers: Videos
Pickering 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.
Pickering Employment Lawyers