Employment Law Show: Ontario – S10 E81

Episode Summary

Questions about severance? What is the duty to accommodate? Employment Lawyer Lior Samfiru, co-managing Partner and national practice leader at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, answers those questions and more on the Employment Law Show. 

LISTEN BELOW to Ontario’s premiere radio show about employment law and workplace rights featuring the province’s leading employment lawyers. You can hear the show live, Mondays to Thursdays, on 640 Toronto and 980 CFPL in London at 6:30 p.m. ET, as the hosts take calls from listeners and provide vital answers to employees and employers.

Listen to the Episode

Show Notes

• Fixed term employment: Fixed-term employment is common in seasonal jobs, as many types of work can only be performed in specific weather conditions. Lior discusses employment rights if you have signed a contract and are let go before the fixed end date. Did you know that your employer owes you the remaining balance of your contract, even if you were let go right at the beginning?
• Duty to accommodate: Lior discusses everything there is to know about your employer’s duty to accommodate, including their obligation to support any needs protected under the human rights code, such as medical or childcare accommodation, when an employee is not entitled to accommodation, and when an employer does not have to provide accommodation and can claim undue hardship.
• Termination for cause: An employee was let go for cause after inappropriate behaviour at their workplace’s holiday party. Learn more about what should really be considered a termination for cause, and why this employee should’ve been paid severance.
• Do you have to retire at 65?: There is no mandatory age of retirement, so legally speaking you can work as long as you wish. It is important to note that many insurance companies will cut their benefit plans off when the employee turns 65 – and they are allowed to do this. If you are above the age of 65 and feel your employer is trying to push you out, you may have a human rights case.
• Don’t wait to speak to a lawyer: Lior stresses the importance of speaking to a lawyer as soon as a legal matter arises. Employees have a two year limitation period to pursue severance from the moment of termination, or one year to file a human rights claim.

Need an employment lawyer?

• Pocket Employment Lawyer: Before you call a lawyer, use the Pocket Employment Lawyer to find out if you might have a case. 
• Severance Pay Calculator: Discover how much severance pay you should get when you lose your job. Used successfully by nearly 2 million Canadians. 
• Watch our TV Shows: Get further clarity on your rights by watching episodes of our popular TV show.