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What is Employment Law?

Best Employment lawyers in Canada as ranked by Lexpert

Employment Lawyers work on the rights and obligations between individuals and their employers. The foundations of employment law arise from the common law in most provinces and the civil law of Québec. This forms the basis of what employment lawyers practice.

 

The main obligations of the employer are to provide work agreed to, pay the remuneration and provide a safe workplace. The employee must execute the work agreed to and be loyal to the employer. The practice of employment law generally involves the negotiation and drafting of individual employment contracts, advice with respect to the numerous aspects of the main obligations, the drafting of non-solicitation and non-competition clauses, golden parachute compensation plans and arbitration clauses.

 

In addition, it involves litigation arising from the employment relationship, including unlawful or dismissal actions, as well as the application of provincial and federal related statutes such as Labour Standards, Human Rights and Health and Safety in the workplace. The best employment lawyers are frequently involved in these types of cases.

 

Please note that the Lexpert Directory has separate sections for:

  • Labour relations lawyers
  • Workplace human rights lawyers
  • Workers' compensation lawyers
  • Occupational health & safety lawyers

 

What is employment law in Canada?

Employment law is the broad term for the branch of law which deals with matters arising from an employer-employee relationship. In Canada, employment law is made up of federal laws and provincial or territorial laws applicable to different circumstances of employment. Generally, employment law is the law governing minimum employment and labor standards, overlapping with the law on the rights of a union and the unionized employees (if applicable), and human rights law which may provide further protection on the part of the employees.

 

The specific employment laws and the minimum labor standards vary in every province or territory, although, they cover similar subjects, such as minimum wage, hours of work, overtime pays, statutory holidays, vacation leaves and other statutory leaves (maternity, paternity, etc.), notice of termination, equal pay for all genders, and separation pay. In crafting contracts, employment lawyers ensure that these standards are complied with, lest government sanctions and civil cases be filed against them.

 

The practice of employment lawyers may include assistance in drafting of employment contracts, which may include specific clauses (mediation or arbitration clauses; non-compete clauses; confidentiality clauses; among others). This contract shall primarily govern the relationship of the two parties, and employment lawyers make sure that it follows the applicable federal or provincial employment laws.

 

Most of the time, lawyering of under employment law would entail advising employees or employers of their respective rights and obligations in lieu of the employment and the contract. Litigation is also a part of the employment lawyers’ responsibility, as when there’s breach of the employment contract by any of the parties, or when damages are sought arising out of the employee-employer relationship.

 

What is the common law of employment?

Common law, or oftentimes called judge-made law, case law, or judicial precedents, are a system of unwritten laws and rules based on case judgments. In Canada, where common law is applied, common law of employment are the rights and obligations of both employees and employers arising from their employment contract, which may either be express or implied, verbal or written.

 

These rights and obligations under common law are in addition to other mandatory rights and obligations of either the employer or the employee as provided under federal and provincial or territorial statutes. In the absence of stipulations of these common law in the employment contracts, it is imposed by the court because they are implied by law. As such, employment lawyers are best sought out for in case there’s any confusion as to the jurisdiction or application of these laws.

 

However, an important distinction must be made – common law does not apply to unionized employees. They are governed by different provincial and territorial statutes.

 

One of the most well-known common laws as to employment law states that employers should provide for a reasonable notice to employees who are to be terminated. However, in case the reason for termination is not one of those which are considered just cause, the employee in entitled to payment in lieu of the said reasonable notice. The period for the reasonable notice depends upon the circumstances of each case, considering the position of the employee, the age, the length of service, among other factors. Jurisprudence states that the maximum period for the said notice is generally 24 months, and the minimum should not be less than 3 months.

 

Who do employment lawyers typically represent?

Employment cases are mostly made up of cases filed by the employees against their employers. However, there are also cases where it is the employee who breached the employment contract. The primary reason is that employment law, or labour law for this matter, generally protects the rights of the labourer, the workers, or the employees. This is premised on the fact that against the resources of an employer, an employee would be at the disadvantage, hence, the protection of the laws for the latter.

 

What laws do employment lawyers use to protect employees in Canada?

Mentioned earlier, employment laws are primarily governed by (1) provincial or territorial statutes, and (2) federal statutes. Employment lawyers may either specialise in both, or specific to a province or territory.

 

Canada Labour Code

The Canada Labour Code is the federal law governing the rights and obligations of employers and employees under federally regulated workplaces. These workplaces include banks, telecommunications and broadcasting, interprovincial transportation, and other matters of national importance.

 

Provincial or Territorial Statutes

If the nature of employment is not under federal jurisdiction, or the workplace or work engagement is done in a specific province or territory, then the employee-employer relationship will be governed by the respective provincial or territorial statute on employment or labour.

 

Other employment and labour laws

Aside from the federal Labour Code and provincial or territorial statutes, other federal laws may also govern employee-employer relations.

 

Canadian Human Rights Act

The Canadian Human Rights Act provides that it is unlawful to discriminate one’s person based on his/her/their race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics, disability and conviction for an offence for which a pardon has been granted or in respect of which a record suspension has been ordered.

 

The Employment Equity Act

The Employment Equity Act is the federal law which states that federally regulated organizations and businesses should provide equal employment opportunities to women; Aboriginal peoples; people with disabilities; and, members of visible minorities.

 

Under the EEA, the following laws provide additional protection for the mentioned four groups:

      • The Federal Contractors Program
      • The Legislated Employment Equity Program
      • The Workplace Equity Information Management System

 

How do I file a complaint against my employer in Canada?

For those whose rights are violated under federal law and regulations, including the Canada Labour Code, reports can be made with the federal government’s Labour Program. For employees working in the province or territory, violations can be reported with the employment standards branch of the said province or territory.

 

Would you like to know more about your right as an employee or as an employer? Scroll down to consult with best employment lawyers specific to your area, all of whom are Lexpert Ranked.

Ontario

Toronto Leading Practitioners - Employer
Most Frequently Recommended
Rich Appiah
Toronto, Ontario
Appiah Law
Stacey Reginald Ball
Toronto, Ontario
Ball Professional Corporation
Matthew L.O. Certosimo
Toronto, Ontario
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG)
Joe Conforti
Toronto, Ontario
Goodmans LLP
Jonathan L. Dye
Toronto, Ontario
Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti LLP
Barry B. Fisher
Toronto, Ontario
Barry B. Fisher, Barrister & Solicitor
R. Mark Fletcher
Toronto, Ontario
Grosman Gale Fletcher Hopkins LLP
Chris Foulon
Toronto, Ontario
Israel Foulon Wong LLP
William R. Gale
Toronto, Ontario
Grosman Gale Fletcher Hopkins LLP
Jeffrey E. Goodman
Toronto, Ontario
Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP
Lorenzo Lisi
Toronto, Ontario
Aird & Berlis LLP
Malcolm MacKillop
Toronto, Ontario
Shields O’Donnell MacKillop LLP
Chris G. Paliare
Toronto, Ontario
Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP
Nancy Shapiro
Toronto, Ontario
Koskie Minsky LLP
Rachel A. Turnpenney
Toronto, Ontario
Turnpenney Milne LLP
David A. Whitten
Toronto, Ontario
Whitten & Lublin PC
Consistently Recommended
George Avraam
Toronto, Ontario
Baker & McKenzie LLP
Frank J. Cesario
Toronto, Ontario
Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP
Richard J. Charney
Toronto, Ontario
Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
Sarah C. Crossley
Toronto, Ontario
Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti LLP
Donna M. D'Andrea
Toronto, Ontario
Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP
Allyson M. Fischer
Toronto, Ontario
Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP
Lisa S. Goodfellow
Toronto, Ontario
Miller Thomson LLP
Michelle S. Henry
Toronto, Ontario
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG)
Jeff C. Hopkins
Toronto, Ontario
Grosman Gale Fletcher Hopkins LLP
Amanda J. Hunter
Toronto, Ontario
Hunter Liberatore Law LLP
Peter Israel
Toronto, Ontario
Israel Foulon Wong LLP
Elisha C. Jamieson-Davies
Toronto, Ontario
Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP
Barry A. Kuretzky
Toronto, Ontario
Littler LLP
Erin R. Kuzz
Toronto, Ontario
Sherrard Kuzz LLP
Jennifer C. Mathers McHenry
Toronto, Ontario
Mathers McHenry & Co.
Hendrik Nieuwland
Toronto, Ontario
Shields O’Donnell MacKillop LLP
Julie A. O'Donnell
Toronto, Ontario
Shields O’Donnell MacKillop LLP
Maureen Quinlan
Toronto, Ontario
Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP
Angela E. Rae
Toronto, Ontario
Rae Christen Jeffries LLP
Janice Rubin
Toronto, Ontario
Rubin Thomlinson LLP
Karen M. Sargeant
Toronto, Ontario
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
Stephen J. Shamie
Toronto, Ontario
Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP
Daniel J. Shields
Toronto, Ontario
Shields O’Donnell MacKillop LLP
Hena Singh
Toronto, Ontario
Singh Lamarche LLP
Lisa K. Talbot
Toronto, Ontario
Torys LLP
Christine Thomlinson
Toronto, Ontario
Rubin Thomlinson LLP
Amy R. Tibble
Toronto, Ontario
Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP
Repeatedly Recommended
Kimberly Boara Alexander
Toronto, Ontario
KBA Partners LLP
Gita Anand
Toronto, Ontario
Sherrard Kuzz LLP
Israel Balter
Toronto, Ontario
Duntrune LLP
David J. Bannon
Toronto, Ontario
Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP
Robert B. Bayne
Toronto, Ontario
Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti LLP
Andrew Bratt
Toronto, Ontario
Gowling WLG
John E. Brooks
Toronto, Ontario
Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP
Lisa Cabel
Toronto, Ontario
KPMG Law LLP
Ian M. Campbell
Toronto, Ontario
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
Nafisah Chowdhury
Toronto, Ontario
Miller Thomson LLP
Hugh A. Christie
Toronto, Ontario
Ogletree Deakins International LLP
Robert L. Colson
Toronto, Ontario
Colson Winterstein LLP
John D. R. Craig
Toronto, Ontario
Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP
Jeremy J. Devereux
Toronto, Ontario
Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
Matthew L. Dewar
Toronto, Ontario
Duntrune LLP
Henry Y. Dinsdale
Toronto, Ontario
Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP
John C. Field
Toronto, Ontario
Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP
Anne K. Gallop
Toronto, Ontario
Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
Alix P. Herber
Toronto, Ontario
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
Devin Jarcaig
Toronto, Ontario
Mathers McHenry & Co.
Donald B. Jarvis
Toronto, Ontario
Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti LLP
Michael J. Kennedy
Toronto, Ontario
Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP
Tim Lawson
Toronto, Ontario
McCarthy Tétrault LLP
Howard A. Levitt
Toronto, Ontario
Levitt Sheikh LLP
Mathias Link
Toronto, Ontario
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
Michelle MacGillivray
Toronto, Ontario
Miller Thomson LLP
Seann D. McAleese
Toronto, Ontario
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
Daniel J. Michaluk
Toronto, Ontario
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG)
A. Jane Milburn
Toronto, Ontario
Milburn & Associates
Jeffrey P. Mitchell
Toronto, Ontario
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG)
Tom X. Moutsatsos
Toronto, Ontario
Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP
Julia M. Nanos
Toronto, Ontario
Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP
M. Christine O'Donohue
Toronto, Ontario
Miller Thomson LLP
Christian Paquette
Toronto, Ontario
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
Sara G. Parchello
Toronto, Ontario
Bennett Jones LLP
Carl W. Peterson
Toronto, Ontario
Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti LLP
Mary A. Porjes
Toronto, Ontario
Porjes Employment Law
Andy Pushalik
Toronto, Ontario
Dentons Canada LLP
Holly Reid
Toronto, Ontario
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
John W. Saunders
Toronto, Ontario
Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP
Ian St. John
Toronto, Ontario
Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP
Carissa N. Tanzola
Toronto, Ontario
Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti LLP
Shane Todd
Toronto, Ontario
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
Alex Van Kralingen
Toronto, Ontario
Israel Foulon Wong LLP
George J.A. Vassos
Toronto, Ontario
Littler LLP
Matthew R. Vella
Toronto, Ontario
Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti LLP
David I. Wakely
Toronto, Ontario
Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti LLP
Andrea York
Toronto, Ontario
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Leading Lawyers to Watch
Ryan Watkins
Toronto, Ontario
Whitten & Lublin PC
Toronto Leading Practitioners - Employee
Most Frequently Recommended
Rich Appiah
Toronto, Ontario
Appiah Law
Stacey Reginald Ball
Toronto, Ontario
Ball Professional Corporation
Paul J.J. Cavalluzzo
Toronto, Ontario
Cavalluzzo LLP
Matthew L.O. Certosimo
Toronto, Ontario
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG)
Barry B. Fisher
Toronto, Ontario
Barry B. Fisher, Barrister & Solicitor
R. Mark Fletcher
Toronto, Ontario
Grosman Gale Fletcher Hopkins LLP
Chris Foulon
Toronto, Ontario
Israel Foulon Wong LLP
William R. Gale
Toronto, Ontario
Grosman Gale Fletcher Hopkins LLP
Daniel A. Lublin
Toronto, Ontario
Whitten & Lublin PC
Chris G. Paliare
Toronto, Ontario
Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP
Nancy Shapiro
Toronto, Ontario
Koskie Minsky LLP
David A. Whitten
Toronto, Ontario
Whitten & Lublin PC
Consistently Recommended
Lisa S. Goodfellow
Toronto, Ontario
Miller Thomson LLP
Jeff C. Hopkins
Toronto, Ontario
Grosman Gale Fletcher Hopkins LLP
Arleen V. Huggins
Toronto, Ontario
Koskie Minsky LLP
Peter Israel
Toronto, Ontario
Israel Foulon Wong LLP
Barry A. Kuretzky
Toronto, Ontario
Littler LLP
Jennifer C. Mathers McHenry
Toronto, Ontario
Mathers McHenry & Co.
Ian J. Roland
Toronto, Ontario
Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP
Linda R. Rothstein
Toronto, Ontario
Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP
Janice Rubin
Toronto, Ontario
Rubin Thomlinson LLP
Hena Singh
Toronto, Ontario
Singh Lamarche LLP
Christine Thomlinson
Toronto, Ontario
Rubin Thomlinson LLP
Michael D. Wright
Toronto, Ontario
Wright Henry LLP
Repeatedly Recommended
Kimberly Boara Alexander
Toronto, Ontario
KBA Partners LLP
Israel Balter
Toronto, Ontario
Duntrune LLP
Robert L. Colson
Toronto, Ontario
Colson Winterstein LLP
Matthew L. Dewar
Toronto, Ontario
Duntrune LLP
Matthew A. Fisher
Toronto, Ontario
Lecker & Associates
Devin Jarcaig
Toronto, Ontario
Mathers McHenry & Co.
Howard A. Levitt
Toronto, Ontario
Levitt Sheikh LLP
A. Jane Milburn
Toronto, Ontario
Milburn & Associates
Mary A. Porjes
Toronto, Ontario
Porjes Employment Law
Alex Van Kralingen
Toronto, Ontario
Israel Foulon Wong LLP
George J.A. Vassos
Toronto, Ontario
Littler LLP
Leading Lawyers to Watch
Ryan Watkins
Toronto, Ontario
Whitten & Lublin PC
Hamilton Leading Practitioners - Employer
Most Frequently Recommended
Edward Canning
Hamilton, Ontario
Ross & McBride LLP
James G. Knight
Hamilton, Ontario
Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti LLP
Repeatedly Recommended
Jane M. Gooding
Hamilton, Ontario
Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti LLP
Hamilton Leading Practitioners - Employee
Consistently Recommended
Wade Poziomka
Hamilton, Ontario
Ross & McBride LLP
Kitchener-Waterloo Leading Practitioners - Employer
Most Frequently Recommended
Neena P. Gupta
Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario
Gowling WLG
Melanie Reist
Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario
Morrison Reist Krauss LLP
Repeatedly Recommended
Christopher M. Andree
Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario
Gowling WLG
Evan Campbell
Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario
Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti LLP
Kitchener-Waterloo Leading Practitioners - Employee
Most Frequently Recommended
Melanie Reist
Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario
Morrison Reist Krauss LLP
London Leading Practitioners - Employer
Consistently Recommended
Casey M. Dockendorff
London, Ontario
Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti LLP
Repeatedly Recommended
S. Jodi Gallagher Healy
London, Ontario
Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP
Oakville Leading Practitioners - Employer
Repeatedly Recommended
Ruben R. Goulart
Oakville, Ontario
Goulart Workplace Lawyers
Oakville Leading Practitioners - Employee
Repeatedly Recommended
Ruben R. Goulart
Oakville, Ontario
Goulart Workplace Lawyers
Ottawa Leading Practitioners - Employer
Most Frequently Recommended
Janice B. Payne
Ottawa, Ontario
Nelligan O'Brien Payne LLP
Consistently Recommended
Jacques A. Emond
Ottawa, Ontario
Emond Harnden LLP
Lynn H. Harnden
Ottawa, Ontario
Emond Harnden LLP
Andrew J. McCreary
Ottawa, Ontario
Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP
Repeatedly Recommended
Heather Cameron
Ottawa, Ontario
Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
Charles V. Hofley
Ottawa, Ontario
Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP
Charles E. Hurdon
Ottawa, Ontario
Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
Mark Josselyn
Ottawa, Ontario
Gowling WLG
Dan G. Palayew
Ottawa, Ontario
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG)
Judith Parisien
Ottawa, Ontario
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
Melanie A. Polowin
Ottawa, Ontario
Gowling WLG
Leading Lawyers to Watch
Siobhan M. O'Brien
Ottawa, Ontario
Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP
Ottawa Leading Practitioners - Employee
Most Frequently Recommended
Janice B. Payne
Ottawa, Ontario
Nelligan O'Brien Payne LLP
Sudbury Leading Practitioners - Employer
Repeatedly Recommended
Jack Braithwaite
Sudbury, Ontario
Weaver, Simmons LLP
Vaughan Leading Practitioners - Employer
Consistently Recommended
Inna Koldorf
Vaughan, Ontario
KPMG Law LLP
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