When Your Work Circumstances Change, What Can You Do?
If you once loved your job and your workplace, it can be especially difficult when circumstances change. If your work environment has become intolerable, it’s important to know that you may have better options than just quitting or suffering in silence.
Employees often feel like they can no longer continue their employment in situations that involve:
- Harassment
- Toxic culture
- Demotion
- Drastic changes to roles and responsibilities
- Salary reductions
- Extreme changes in schedule or commute
If this sounds like your experience at work, we recommend that you connect with an employment lawyer to discuss your unique situation.
What You Need To Know
Constructive dismissal can be defined as “when an employee who has not been expressly terminated claims the employer’s actions amount to a repudiation of the employee’s employment contract.” Further defining this concept, the Supreme Court of Canada has stated that a Constructive Dismissal may present in one of two forms:
- a single unilateral act by the employer that breaches an essential term of an employee’s employment contract; or
- a series of acts by the employer that, taken together, show the employer no longer intends to be bound by the employment contract.
However, being able to recognize when and if you’re in a constructive dismissal situation can be complicated.
Constructive dismissal cases may result in a claim for pay-in-lieu of termination notice, and sometimes, depending on the severity of the employer’s actions, aggravated and punitive damages.
This is why it’s important to speak to an employment lawyer who understands the complexity and subtleties of the law of constructive dismissal and can help develop a strategy to meet your goals.
Get Informed: Constructive Dismissal in Downturns: An employee who sued and stayed
How We Can Help
The team at Morrison Reist Krauss helps people in your situation by:
- Helping you avoid mis-steps in establishing strong facts to support your position and goals
- Negotiating on your behalf to modify your employment agreement
- Developing a reasonable and fair exit strategy
- Facilitating an amicable termination
If you have experienced significant changes that could be leading towards a constructive dismissal, know that you don’t have to face this alone. Take the first step and speak with an employment lawyer who can help you understand all of your options.
Contact Morrison Reist Krauss today to start the conversation.
Call today: 519.576.5351 or Toll Free: 1.800.354.5723
