If you are looking for an employment lawyer in Toronto, Monkhouse Law Employment Lawyers can help you understand your rights and options. Our firm represents non-union employees and independent contractors in wrongful dismissal, severance package, layoff, workplace harassment, constructive dismissal, employment contract, human rights, and compensation disputes.
Workplace issues can be stressful, especially when your job, income, reputation, or future employment is affected. An experienced Toronto employment lawyer can review your situation, explain how Ontario employment law applies, and advise you on the appropriate next steps based on your circumstances.
Monkhouse Law assists employees in Toronto, the GTA, and across Ontario, including provincially regulated and federally regulated employees.
Request a free 30-minute phone consultation
Call (416) 907-9249
Toronto Employment Lawyers for Employees
Monkhouse Law focuses on employment law and represents employees and independent contractors. We assist clients with workplace issues at all stages, from early legal advice and document review to negotiation, mediation, litigation, and court proceedings where appropriate.
Our Toronto employment lawyers regularly advise employees who have been terminated, offered a severance package, pressured to resign, denied compensation, subjected to harassment, or asked to sign an employment agreement.
Because employment law matters often involve deadlines, releases, and legal documents, it is important to seek advice before signing anything or accepting an employer’s offer.
How the Process Works
1. Free 30-Minute Phone Consultation
The first step is a free 30-minute phone consultation with a lawyer or paralegal. This is a chance to share your situation, ask questions, and determine how Monkhouse Law may be able to help.
2. Case Review
If your matter requires a deeper assessment, the next step may be a paid case review. A lawyer will review relevant documents, such as termination letters, severance offers, releases, employment contracts, or workplace correspondence, explain your rights, and provide clear legal advice.
Some clients choose to stop after a case review if they only need advice. Others retain Monkhouse Law to assist with negotiation, mediation, or litigation depending on the circumstances.
3. Representation, Negotiation, or Litigation
If further legal assistance is appropriate, your lawyer can explain available fee options and recommend the next step. Depending on the matter, this may include negotiation with your employer, mediation, litigation, or other legal proceedings.
Learn more about our fees and consultation process.
What Does an Employment Lawyer Do?
Employment lawyers advise employees on their legal rights and obligations arising from the employment relationship. This includes helping employees understand how employment legislation, common law principles, and contractual terms apply to their specific circumstances.
An employment lawyer may review documents, assess potential claims, explain available legal options, negotiate with an employer, and represent an employee in mediation or litigation where appropriate.
Depending on the situation, a Toronto employment lawyer may assist with:
- Reviewing termination letters, severance offers, and release agreements;
- Assessing wrongful dismissal and constructive dismissal claims;
- Advising on termination for cause allegations;
- Explaining severance pay, reasonable notice, and common law entitlements;
- Addressing workplace harassment, bullying, and toxic work environments;
- Advising on human rights and discrimination issues, including disability and accommodation;
- Resolving disputes involving commissions, bonuses, overtime, vacation pay, or unpaid compensation;
- Reviewing employment contracts, non-compete clauses, and non-solicitation clauses;
- Advising independent contractors about employment status and termination rights; and
- Negotiating settlements and representing employees in mediation or litigation where appropriate.
If you would like to learn more about what employment lawyers do and when it may make sense to seek legal advice, read our guide on why hiring an employment lawyer may help.
When Should You Contact an Employment Lawyer in Toronto?
Many employees seek legal advice after a significant workplace change or dispute. You may wish to speak with an employment lawyer if:
- You were terminated or laid off;
- You received a severance package or deadline to sign a release;
- Your job duties, pay, hours, location, or reporting structure changed significantly;
- You feel pressured to resign;
- You are experiencing harassment, bullying, sexual harassment, or a toxic work environment;
- You believe you are facing discrimination, reprisal, or retaliation;
- Your employer denied disability accommodation or benefits;
- Your employer withheld commissions, bonuses, vacation pay, overtime pay, or other compensation;
- You are asked to sign a new employment contract or restrictive covenant;
- You are an independent contractor and your contract was ended unfairly; or
- You are unsure whether your employer has treated you lawfully.
Seeking legal advice early can help you understand your position and avoid unintended consequences.
Employment Law Issues We Assist With
Termination and Severance
- Wrongful dismissal
- Constructive dismissal
- Severance pay, severance packages, and termination pay
- Termination with cause and termination without cause
- Layoffs
Workplace Harassment and Human Rights
- Workplace harassment and toxic work environments
- Human rights and discrimination
- Disability accommodation issues
- Workplace sexual harassment
- Reprisal and retaliation
Employment Contracts and Compensation
- Employment contracts and agreements
- Independent contractor agreements
- Non-compete and non-solicitation clauses
- Commission and bonus disputes
- Vacation pay, overtime pay, and unpaid wages
Disability Claims
- Long-term disability claims
- Disability-related termination issues
- Return-to-work and accommodation disputes
Class Actions
Understanding Employment Law in Ontario
Employment rights in Ontario depend on whether an employee is provincially regulated or federally regulated.
Most employees in Ontario are governed by provincial employment law, including the Employment Standards Act, 2000, and common law principles. These rules apply to the majority of workplaces and set minimum standards for matters such as notice of termination, severance pay, vacation, hours of work, and leaves.
In many cases, statutory minimums do not represent the full extent of an employee’s legal rights. Employees may have additional entitlements under common law, contract, or other legal principles.
Some employees in Ontario are federally regulated and are instead governed by the Canada Labour Code. This typically includes employees working in federally regulated industries such as banking, telecommunications, interprovincial or international transportation, aviation, railways, and certain Crown corporations.
Federally regulated employees may have different rights and remedies than provincially regulated employees, including unique protections related to termination, severance pay, overtime, and unjust dismissal.
Employment Lawyer Toronto Free Consultation
Monkhouse Law offers free 30-minute phone consultations for employees and independent contractors. During the consultation, you can briefly explain your workplace issue, ask questions, and learn whether the firm may be able to assist you.
If your matter requires a more detailed legal assessment, a case review may be recommended. During a case review, a lawyer can review relevant documents, explain your rights, and provide practical legal advice based on your circumstances.
Request a free 30-minute phone consultation
Call (416) 907-9249
Serving Toronto, the GTA, and All of Ontario
Monkhouse Law assists non-union employees throughout Toronto, the GTA, and across Ontario, including:
- Downtown Toronto;
- North York;
- Scarborough;
- Etobicoke;
- East York;
- Mississauga and Brampton;
- Vaughan and Richmond Hill;
- Markham and York Region;
- Oakville, Burlington, and Halton Region;
- Hamilton and surrounding communities; and
- Other cities and regions across Ontario.
Why Choose Monkhouse Law Employment Lawyers?
Monkhouse Law is a nationally recognized employment law firm based in Toronto, Ontario. Since 2013, the firm has represented thousands of employees in wrongful dismissal, severance pay, layoffs, workplace harassment, constructive dismissal, and other employment disputes.
Our lawyers focus on employment law and represent employees and independent contractors. The firm has experience assisting clients through negotiation, mediation, litigation, court proceedings, and employment-related disputes.
Monkhouse Law lawyers are regularly featured as employment law experts in national media outlets, including CBC News, The Globe and Mail, CTV News, Toronto Star, Financial Post, National Post, Global News, Maclean’s, Law360 Canada, and Canadian HR Reporter.
Whether you need advice about a severance package, termination, harassment, contract, or workplace dispute, our knowledgeable team offers clear, practical legal advice to help you understand your rights and options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Employment Lawyers in Toronto
How do I find an employment lawyer in Toronto?
When looking for an employment lawyer in Toronto, consider whether the lawyer focuses on employment law, whether they represent employees, and whether they have experience with matters similar to yours, such as wrongful dismissal, severance packages, workplace harassment, employment contracts, or human rights issues.
Do I need an employment lawyer if I received a severance package?
It is often advisable to have a severance package reviewed before signing. An employer’s initial offer may not reflect the full amount you may be entitled to receive under employment law.
Does Monkhouse Law offer a free consultation?
Yes. Monkhouse Law offers free 30-minute phone consultations for employees and independent contractors.
Can an employment lawyer help with layoffs?
Yes. An employment lawyer can advise employees who have been laid off, review severance offers, and explain whether additional compensation may be available.
Can an employment lawyer help with workplace harassment?
Yes. An employment lawyer can advise employees experiencing workplace harassment, bullying, discrimination, reprisal, or a toxic work environment.
Can an employment lawyer help with employment contracts?
Yes. An employment lawyer can review employment contracts before you sign and explain how the terms may affect your rights, including termination clauses, compensation terms, non-compete clauses, non-solicitation clauses, and other obligations.
Can an employment lawyer help with unpaid commissions, bonuses, overtime, or vacation pay?
Yes. An employment lawyer can advise employees involved in disputes about unpaid compensation, including commissions, bonuses, overtime pay, vacation pay, and wages.
Does Monkhouse Law help employees outside Toronto?
Yes. Monkhouse Law assists employees in Toronto, the GTA, and across Ontario.
Speak With an Employment Lawyer in Toronto
If you are dealing with a workplace issue, obtaining legal advice early can help you understand your rights and avoid decisions that may affect your claim.
At Monkhouse Law Employment Lawyers, our knowledgeable team offers clear, practical legal advice to help you address concerns promptly and efficiently. Don’t wait for problems to grow, contact us today.
Monkhouse Law offers free 30-minute phone consultations for employees and independent contractors in Toronto, the GTA, and across Ontario. Complete the contact form below to request a consultation.