Can an Employer Threaten an Employee With Termination in Ontario?

Yes — an employer can threaten to terminate an employee. But in Ontario, the reason behind the threat matters. If the threat is meant to pressure you, punish you, or stop you from asserting your rights, it may be illegal and considered a reprisal.

When a Termination Threat Is Not Allowed

A threat of termination may violate Ontario law if it happens after you:

• Ask about your employment rights (overtime, vacation pay, hours of work)
• Request medical accommodation
• Raise a safety concern or refuse unsafe work
• Make a harassment or discrimination complaint
• Take or return from a protected leave of absence
• Report wrongdoing or file a workplace complaint

These situations can amount to workplace retaliation in Ontario — which is unlawful.

When a Threat May Be Legal

Employers are allowed to:

• Provide performance warnings
• Discuss legitimate workplace issues
• Set expectations
• Start a disciplinary process

But these conversations must not be motivated by retaliation or designed to intimidate you for asserting your rights.

Even then, employers must act in good faith. Empty threats, intimidation, or pressure tactics can still form part of a constructive dismissal Ontario or reprisal claim.

Can You Be Fired After a Threat?

Yes — employers can terminate employees without cause in Ontario.
But if the decision is motivated by retaliation, discrimination, or punishment, the firing becomes:

• Wrongful dismissal
• A potential reprisal
• A breach of human rights
• Grounds for additional damages

And regardless of why you were fired, you may be owed full severance in Ontario — often much more than what’s offered.

What To Do If Your Employer Threatens to Fire You

If you receive a threat of termination:

1. Stay calm and don’t resign
2. Write down what was said and when
3. Save emails, messages, and meeting notes
4. Get legal advice before responding or feeling forced to resign
5. Ask about your severance rights if the threat turns into a termination

An employment lawyer can assess whether the threat itself is improper or part of a larger pattern of retaliation.

Speak to an Employment Lawyer Today

If your employer is threatening to fire you, it’s important to get clarity right away.

At Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, our employment lawyers in Ontario have helped over 50,000 Canadians understand their rights, secure fair severance (up to 24 months’ pay) and protect their jobs.

📞 Call us at 1-855-821-5900 or request a consultation online.