An Ontario Court of Appeal decision in P. v. Cervus Equipment Corporation, 2024 ONCA 804, shows how settlement language can cost an employee compensation that had already been earned. In this case, the employee lost the right to recover approximately $76,000 in vested stock units after signing settlement documents to resolve a wrongful dismissal claim. … Read more
In S. v. GoSecure Inc., 2025 ONSC 0049, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice considered a situation many employees face: being terminated shortly after starting a new role. This decision is a helpful reminder that employees should not assume their severance is limited to the minimum standards under the Employment Standards Act, 2000. If an … Read more
In S. v. L. Golf Inc., 2024 CanLII 103671, an Ontario court awarded a seasonal employee five months of pay in lieu of notice despite only one month of service. This decision highlights an important point for employees: short service does not always mean short notice, especially where the role is specialized, and the timing … Read more
In Boyer v. Callidus Capital Corporation, 2025 ONCA 79, the Ontario Court of Appeal confirmed that employees who retire may still be entitled to compensation earned during their employment, including deferred bonuses, vested stock options, and accrued vacation pay. The employee, a senior executive, left his role after indicating he planned to retire. After his … Read more
An Ontario court awarded $15,000 in moral damages after finding that an employer handled an employee’s termination unfairly and failed to comply with the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA). In T. v. Aurora Hotel Group, 2023 ONSC 1324, the court concluded that the employer’s conduct during and after the termination was misleading, insensitive, and contrary to … Read more
In C. v. Wilcox et al., 2025 ONSC 1739, an Ontario court found that a shareholder-employee was both oppressed as a minority shareholder and wrongfully dismissed as an employee after his co-owners tried to force a buyout and then claimed he had “retired” when negotiations failed. This case is an important reminder that employees who … Read more
In T. v. Artisan Cells, 2024 ONSC 7123, the Ontario Superior Court awarded a terminated employee nine months’ reasonable notice after finding that the employer repudiated the employment contract by withholding severance it already owed. The employee’s contract promised three months’ notice or pay in lieu if terminated without cause. Instead, the employer paid only … Read more
In M. v. Enthusiast Gaming Inc., 2025 ONSC 654, the Ontario Superior Court confirmed an important principle for employees receiving equity compensation: a vesting schedule does not automatically create a fixed-term contract. If employment ends before the vesting date, unvested shares or options are generally lost unless the contract clearly says otherwise. The Background The … Read more
In L. v. S. Automotive Group Inc., the Ontario Superior Court of Justice confirmed an important principle for employees: even during a crisis like COVID-19, your rights to reasonable notice remain protected — and your prior service may still count if you were induced to return to work. What Happened? The employee was a mechanic … Read more
In the case M. v. Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1587 (2025 ONCA 415), the Ontario Court of Appeal confirmed that employers have a legal duty to investigate workplace harassment once they become aware of it, even if the affected employee does not file a formal complaint. This decision matters for employees because it reinforces your … Read more