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12 Key Employee Rights in Ontario (2025–2026 Update)

If you work in Ontario, you have more legal protections than you might realize. The Employment Standards Act, the Human Rights Code and health and safety laws influence everything from your pay and hours of work to harassment, discrimination and termination. Recent Working for Workers changes and new rules on pay transparency and artificial intelligence […]

Are Your Termination Clauses Enforceable in 2025? How Waksdale Still Shapes Ontario Severance Rights

If you were just handed a new contract, or you’re considering a severance offer, the fine print in your termination provisions can decide whether you get only ESA minimums or substantial common-law notice. Since the Ontario Court of Appeal’s landmark decision in Waksdale v. Swegon, courts have continued to strike down clauses that stray from […]

Workplace Harassment in Ontario: What Your Employer Can and Cannot Do

Experiencing harassment at work can be an isolating and deeply distressing experience. It can make a once-welcoming workplace feel hostile and can have a significant impact on your health and career. If you are facing this situation in Ontario, it’s crucial to know that you are not alone and that you have legal rights. This […]

Restructuring Layoffs in Ontario: Know Your Rights When Companies Downsize

Layoffs during company restructurings are a reality in today’s economy—but that doesn’t mean you’re powerless. In Ontario, employees affected by restructuring layoffs still have legal rights, and understanding them can make a major difference in what you walk away with. From severance pay to extended benefits and wrongful dismissal claims, there’s often more at stake […]

Disability Discrimination in Hiring: What Ontario Job Seekers with Health Conditions Need to Know

If you’ve ever left a job interview feeling dismissed, judged, or sidelined because of a health condition—you’re not alone. In Ontario, disability discrimination during hiring is illegal, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. And for those with chronic illnesses or non-visible disabilities, bias can be even harder to detect. At Unified LLP, our employment […]

Losing Your Job While on Long-Term Disability in Ontario? Here’s What You Need to Know

Losing your job is difficult enough—but losing it while you’re already coping with a long-term disability can be devastating. Many people in Ontario ask: “What happens to my long-term disability benefits if I’m terminated?” The answer depends on your situation, but knowing your rights is the first step. Maybe you’re already receiving benefits, or perhaps you’re right […]

How Severance Pay Affects Long-Term Disability Benefits in Ontario

Losing your job is hard. But losing it while dealing with a long-term disability? That adds a whole new layer of stress. If you’re in Ontario and receiving (or applying for) long-term disability benefits, a common question is: “What happens to my LTD payments if I receive severance pay?” The relationship between severance pay and […]

Struggling with Addiction in the Workplace? You’re Not Without Options

Substance Use Disorder and Your Legal Protections in the Workplace Struggling with addiction while trying to maintain a job is one of the most isolating and difficult experiences a person can face. Whether it’s alcohol, cannabis, or prescription opioids, Substance Use Disorder (SUD) can quietly take hold—especially under the stress of work, family, and everyday […]

Fired While Struggling with PTSD? Here’s What the Law Says

Understanding PTSD in the Workplace Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is not just limited to military personnel or victims of extreme trauma—it’s becoming increasingly prevalent in workplaces. Losing a job is stressful for anyone—but when it happens while you’re coping with PTSD, the impact can be devastating. For many workers, symptoms of trauma are triggered or […]

Can You Be Fired While on Sick Leave in Canada? Know Your Rights

Understanding Your Rights and Legal Protections If You’re Terminated While on Sick Leave in Canada Sick leave is an essential right for Canadian employees, allowing them to recover from illness or injury without fear of job loss. However, many workers worry about whether their employer can terminate them while they are on leave. Understanding your […]

Understanding Ontario’s New Pay Transparency and AI Disclosure Requirements

Ontario’s New Employment Law Changes: What Workers Need to Know On March 21, 2024, the Ontario government enacted new legislation aimed at improving transparency in hiring practices. The Working for Workers Four Act, 2024 introduces two key requirements for employers: These changes aim to promote fair pay practices and ensure job seekers are aware of […]

Navigating the Impact of Severance Packages on Long-Term Disability Benefits in Ontario

Understanding the Relationship Between Severance and long-term disability Benefits In Ontario, severance pay and long-term disability benefits are two critical financial supports that employees may rely on following job loss. However, the interaction between these two forms of compensation is not always straightforward. Many employees receiving long-term disability benefits are unaware that accepting a severance […]

What You Need to Know About Constructive Dismissal

Workplace changes can be challenging, but when those changes alter the fundamental terms of your employment, you may be experiencing constructive dismissal. Understanding your rights is crucial, and seeking advice from an experienced employment lawyer in Toronto can make all the difference in protecting your career and financial well-being. What Is Constructive Dismissal? Constructive dismissal […]

Planning for Job Security in 2025: Tips for Employees with Disabilities

As the workplace evolves with new technologies, hybrid work models, and increased competition, employees with disabilities face unique challenges in securing long-term job stability. Understanding your rights and proactively planning for the future can empower you to navigate potential barriers and thrive in your career. In this blog, we’ll explore practical tips for ensuring job […]

Winter Conditions and Workplace Safety: Employer Responsibilities to Prevent Injury

With winter in full swing, Canadian workplaces face unique challenges that come with snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. These seasonal hazards increase the risk of workplace injuries, making it essential for employers to prioritize safety. For employees, understanding your legal rights can help ensure a safe and equitable working environment during the colder months. In […]

AI in Hiring: What Ontario’s Law Means for You

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into hiring practices is revolutionizing recruitment processes across various industries. While AI offers efficiency and innovation, it also introduces legal and ethical considerations, particularly concerning fairness, bias, and compliance with employment laws. In Ontario, the legal framework is evolving to address these challenges, making it essential for both employers […]

11 Signs You’re Being Pushed Out of Your Job (and What an Employment Lawyer Can Do)

If an employer wants to avoid providing termination pay, termination notice and severance, the best thing for them is to push an employee to quit on their own, say employment lawyers. Often referred to as “quiet firing,” ‘pushing someone out’ means making an employee’s work environment so uncomfortable that they feel they have no choice […]

Vacation Pay Versus Vacation Time: What’s the Difference?

Often, both employees and employers mistakenly interchange the terms vacation pay and vacation time. However, these are two distinct concepts under the Employment Standards Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 41 with significant differences. Understanding these differences is crucial to understanding one’s responsibilities and entitlements. If you were denied these absences by your employer, an employment […]

What protected leaves do I have under the Employment Standards Act, 2000?

In Ontario, as an individual employee, you are entitled to unpaid leaves of absence for reasons specified in the Employment Standards Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 41 (the “Employment Standards Act”). These leaves are statutorily protected, meaning you have the right to return to your job once the leave period ends. The employer must reinstate […]

Reasons to Contact an Employment Lawyer

Navigating the workplace environment can sometimes become complex and fraught with legal uncertainties. Whether you are an employee facing workplace issues or an employer managing compliance and dispute resolution, understanding when to seek professional legal help is crucial. Here’s a look at why contacting an employment lawyer is essential for addressing various employment-related issues effectively. […]

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