Recognized Professional Employment Lawyers in Vancouver
In today’s economy, employment issues are arising more and more and becoming increasingly complex. With the potential for bad faith and discriminatory issues to further complicate matters, it is imperative to consult with employment lawyers in Vancouver, whether you are an employer or employee facing an employment law issue. Whether your business is large or small, sometimes it helps to hire outside legal professionals to help you wade through the murky waters surrounding the legal complexities facing today’s workplace. That is where the competent, well-trusted employment lawyers at Paine Edmonds LLP come in.
Wrongfully Dismissed? Consult Our Lawyers
Led by partner Henry Edmonds, Paine Edmonds’ Employment Law Group provides legal advice and services regarding non-union employment relationships. We have the expertise to act for our clients on many important issues, such as contracts of employment, wrongful dismissal, reasonable notice, severance payments, and contract and tort claims arising out of the employer-employee relationship. When you need experienced wrongful dismissal lawyers in Vancouver, our firm would be more than happy to handle your case, addressing any legal concerns and answering any questions you may have along the way.
Wrongful Dismissal Lawyers in Vancouver
The average person spends almost half of their waking hours every week at their job. Whether you work for a small, family-owned operation or a large, multi-national corporation, you have rights as an employee. If you have recently been terminated and feel that those rights have been violated, you should contact one of our wrongful dismissal lawyers in Vancouver. On this page, you will find helpful information to consider before determining whether a wrongful dismissal case is the right move for you. You can rest assured that we will carefully consider the facts surrounding your case before recommending a course of action.
Notice and Compensation for Termination
If your employment is being terminated by your employer without just cause, they are required to provide you with advanced notice or compensation. Since the passing of the BC Employment Standards Act, the amount of compensation or notice required for an employer to provide is based on your tenure with the company.
- If you were employed consecutively for 3 months, your employer is required to provide at least 1 weeks’ notice or compensation.
- If you were employed consecutively for at least 12 months, your employer is required to provide at least 2 weeks’ notice or compensation.
- If you were employed consecutively for at least 3 years, your employer is required to provide at least 2 weeks’ notice or compensation as well as an additional week’s notice or compensation for each additional year, up to a maximum of 8 weeks.
Please note, however, that employers are not always required to provide you with notice or compensation. The laws in place are intended to create a fair balance between employer and employee. You may not receive compensation or notice if you:
- Have not worked for at least 3 consecutive months
- Quit or retire
- Are dismissed with just cause
- Worked on a temporary or on-call basis
- Were employed for a definite length of time
- Refuse reasonable alternative employment
- Are a teacher employed by a board of trustees
This is not an exclusive list of the instances in which no compensation or notice is required by your employer. That is why it is important to consult with employment lawyers in Vancouver if you feel your rights have been violated.
What Is Just Cause?
Just cause is a term covering the reasonable termination of an employee by an employer. An employer is not required to provide notice or compensation if you are terminated with just cause. The determining factors that go into determining just cause include, but are not limited to:
- Theft
- Sexual, physical or emotional harassment
- Conflict of interest
- Breach of reasonable and consistently enforced rules
- Persistent and unexcused absence and tardiness
In some cases, even if you have been injured or become seriously ill, your termination may qualify as just cause if your case can not be accommodated by the employer without undue hardship. Paine Edmonds LLP’s team of wrongful dismissal lawyers in Vancouver can work with you on your individual case to determine if your termination was unjust.
Proving Wrongful Dismissal
If you feel your termination was unjust and you deserve compensation, it is important to understand the process that will ensue. Your first step, as obvious as it seems, will be to make sure you can prove your employment. You will need your termination letter, insurance records or pay stubs to prove that you did in fact work for the employer that terminated you. Next you will need evidence showing that your termination was not handled within the guidelines of the law. Finally, you will need an experienced employment lawyer in Vancouver who can make sure you are getting the representation you deserve.
Book a Consultation with an Employment Lawyer in Vancouver
Call Paine Edmonds LLP today to book a consultation with an employment lawyer in Vancouver. Together, we can discuss your options concerning various employment law issues. Whether you are an employer or an employee requiring our legal expertise, rest assured we will provide professional assistance with your case to help you through what may prove to be a complex, difficult time in your career. You are entitled to certain legal rights concerning the workplace and fair compensation, and we will help you protect them.