In short, yes.
In Ontario, employment law generally adheres to the concept of “at will employment.” This means that an employer has the ability to terminate an employee’s position without providing a reason as long as it is not discriminatory or in breach of any employment contracts, collective agreements or statutory protections.
However, it’s important to note that there are instances where terminating an employee without notice or warning may not be permissible under Ontario’s employment standards legislation or common law principles.
According to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”) employees are entitled to receive notice of termination or payment in lieu of notice unless there is a reason for termination. The specific amount of notice or payment will vary based on factors including the duration of employment. Additionally depending on the circumstances surrounding the termination employers may also be required to provide notice or severance pay based on law principles.
If you feel you were wrongfully terminated or otherwise, we encourage you to contact Toronto employment lawyers, Sultan Lawyers at 416-214-5111 or via email at mlahert@sultanlawyers.com.