Contact an Employment Lawyer | Employment Law Show TV – S1 E2

Summary

WHEN YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN EMPLOYMENT LAWYER, why the Ministry of Labour cannot help you with full severance pay and more on the Employment Law Show with employment lawyer Lior Samfiru. Discover your workplace rights and learn everything you need to know about employment law in Ontario and British Columbia on Season 1 Episode 2 of the only employment law show on TV in Canada.

What We Covered

► 2:04 Son helps mother get her proper severance.

► 3:50 Why the Ministry of Labour cannot help you obtain your full severance pay.

► 5:20 A caller from the Employment Law Show – I have been employed by a small construction company for 13 years. It was recently sold. Do my 13 years of service carry over to the new owner, or has my length of service started all over again? I haven’t been fired yet.

Lior explains that many individuals working in the construction industry are entitled to severance pay when they are fired or let go without cause from their job. When a business is sold, and the employee accepts a job with the new owner, that employee’s length of service (seniority) continues to build. Their seniority does not reset when a new buyer enters the picture.

► 7:20 How the Severance Pay Calculator can help you determine the amount of severance pay that you are owed upon termination.

► 9:58 TerminationQuestions.com – Can I leave my job of 18 years and ask for a severance package? How much can I ask for, and how should I position the question? They won’t fire me, but they are making my life miserable.

► 13:00 A caller from the Employment Law Show – I agreed to return to work, with my doctor’s approval, after being off for 3 years on a mental health leave. When my employer couldn’t find work for me, I was laid off. Another lawyer said I was eligible for 10 weeks’ severance. Is that fair?

Lior explains that the time an employee spends on a medical leave is counted towards their length of service (seniority). For example, if an employee worked 5 years before taking a 2 year medical leave after which time the employee was let go, they would be considered a 7 year employee. He goes on to describe an employer’s duty to accommodate an employee returning to work from a medical leave. If a company fails to provide an employee with accommodation, they may be facing human rights damages.

► When You Should Contact An Employment Lawyer (Part 1)

• When you’re dealing with workplace harassment – 15:15
• When you’ve been let go from your job – 18:00
• An issue arises with pregnancy or maternity leave – 19:49
• When a disability issue is involved – 21:26

► 23:28 A caller from the Employment Law Show – A few months ago I was approached by a former employer, who successfully convinced me to come and work for him. Due to my daughter’s school schedule, I had to request a shift change, but they want me to work evening shifts. If I say I can’t do that, can they fire me?

► When You Should Consult an Employment Lawyer (Part 2)

• They change the terms of employment – 25:01
• When a case is being built against you – 26:18
• You’re asked to sign an employment agreement – 27:42

Next Episode: Employment Law Show S1 E3 – Employment Contracts

Previous Episode: Employment Law Show S1 E1 – Misconceptions of Termination of Employment