Call us for a FREE 30 minute phone consultation at 416-907-9249 or submit a callback request
In Saikaly v. Akman Construction Ltd, 2019 ONSC 799, an Office Manager of 12 years was awarded a notice period of 24 months after a judge found that he had been wrongfully terminated with cause. The judge found that the employee did not commit the wrongdoing that was alleged by the employer and therefore, was terminated without cause from his employment. The employee was awarded damages totaling $157,645 and costs of $9,270.
Background and Overview
The plaintiff employee worked for the company for 12 years and was terminated in May 2018. The employee was informed that his termination was for cause and the Record of Employment (“ROE”) stated he was terminated with cause and there was an ongoing court case.
The employee denied that he committed any wrongdoing and stated that he was never given any particulars of the alleged wrongdoing or provided with any details of the investigation that was carried out by the employer. He was not interviewed as part of the investigation and was not informed of the outcome of the investigation.
In July 2018, the employee sued for wrongful dismissal but a statement of defence was never delivered despite multiple follow ups. The employer was then noted in default. After being served with a statement of claim, a defendant is provided with approximately 30 days to file a statement of defence. If the defendant fails to file a defence within that period, they can be noted in default which has a number of consequences i.e. they are deemed to admit all allegations of fact in the plaintiff’s statement of claim and the plaintiff can seek a default judgment against the defendant on that basis.
The plaintiff employee noted the defendant employer in default in September 2018 and scheduled a motion for default judgment in January 2019. Despite being notified, the defendant took no action.
The Decision
The judge’s decision that the employee was terminated without cause was based on the employer being deemed to admit the truth of all allegations of fact made in the statement of claim and the affidavit evidence provided by the employee.
In deciding the appropriate notice period was 24 months, the judge considered the following factors:
– Length of service: 12 years;
– Age at termination: 60 years old;
– Character of employment: Office Manager, considerable responsibility, paid a salary, received benefits that he will be unable to replace;
– Availability of alternative employment: difficult because of age and manner in which his employment was terminated;
– Other Considerations: he has no formal accounting designation and the Ottawa construction industry is tightly knit. This contributes to difficulties securing alternate employment.
The award of $157,645 was comprised of compensation in lieu of notice, employee benefits at 10 %, and vacation pay at 4%. The employer was also required to revise the ROE to reflect a termination without cause.
Major Keys
If you are served with legal documents, it is important to be diligent and responsive to deadlines or you risk a judgment being made against you without any input, defence, or participation from you. That was critical in the determination of this case. On the other end, as the plaintiff, this illustrates the importance of pleading a clear case in the statement of claim such that a judge could rely on your version of the facts to find in your favour.
About the Author: Busayo Faderin is an associate lawyer at Monkhouse Law where she practices Employment, Human Rights and Disability Insurance Law. Busayo can be reached at busayo.faderin@monkhouselaw.com.
To arrange your free confidential 30 minute phone consultation make sure to contact us today.