Toronto Employment Lawyers
Toronto Labour and Employment Law Firm
Hyde HR Law is a boutique Labour and Employment law firm, located in downtown Toronto. Although centred in the GTA, we represent clients across Canada, from multinational corporations to small business; from individuals to groups and associations.
Located close to the Ontario Labour Relations Board and the Superior Court of Justice, our Toronto employment labour law firm is particularly well situated to provide our clients with the unparalleled responsiveness, strong and effective representation, that they need and expect in today's marketplace.
Hyde HR Law, one of the top labour and employment law firms, was founded by John Hyde, previously the managing partner of Canada's best-known employment law firm. John, a leading labour and employment lawyer in Toronto, is joined by a number of his colleagues who share his Client First approach to providing practical and cost-efficient representation. John is one of only 23 lawyers in Canada certified by the Law Society as a Specialist in Labour Law.
Each labour and employment lawyer
at Hyde HR Law come from nationally recognized labour law firms and, bring to the table the kind of attention to detail, drive for excellence and commitment to quality that underlies our success in client representation.
The employment lawyers in Toronto at Hyde HR Law also bring something different to the practice of law: that is, practical real-life experiences, with pre-law backgrounds in human resources management, journalism, and other industries, ranging from transportation to construction.
As leading Toronto labour and employment lawyers, our motto is: "Our business, begins with understanding yours".
We think it makes us better lawyers. We hope you do too.
Employment Law for Employees
Just Cause Termination
If you have been terminated from your employment for just cause, it is not the end of the road. Your employer will have to prove that your acts led to a total breakdown in the employment relationship.
Constructive Dismissal
No employee should have to endure intolerable working conditions – that’s the law. You may have a right to quit your job and sue your employer for constructive dismissal.
Unjust Dismissal
Federally regulated employees who are terminated have a powerful tool at their disposal: the law of unjust dismissal. In addition to monetary awards, unjustly dismissed employees may seek reinstatement to their employment.
Wrongful Dismissal
Almost any dismissal from employment without notice is wrongful. Wrongfully dismissed employees are entitled to compensation from their employers - sometimes up to two years’ worth of wages and other benefits.
Severance
Have you been terminated? You could be entitled to severance pay in the range of 1 month per year of service, subject to a number of important factors, such as your age, position, length of service and chances of re-employment.
Employment Contract Review
Most employees do not understand the meaning or significance of the employment terms they agree to in writing. It is important to have your employment contract reviewed by an experienced lawyer before you sign it.
Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation
Do not take non-competition and non-solicitation agreements at face value. These clauses, referred to as “restrictive covenants”, are usually not enforceable.
Executive Compensation Advice
Incentive plans for executives can be vague, complicated, and misleading. Given the complexity of most executive agreements, obtaining legal advice from an expert will place you in a better position to negotiate an agreement that protects your interests.
Human Rights Claims
The workplace is one of the most common settings for discrimination. The Human Rights Code protects all employees from discrimination based on protected grounds, such as age, disability, or gender.
Employment Standards Claims
Employment standards include entitlements to minimum wage, overtime, holidays, and vacation pay. Many employees do not even receive the minimum employment standards set out by legislation, but taking action against an employer may be easier than you think.
Independent Contractor Disputes
Your employer might attempt to misclassify you as an “independent contractor” in order to avoid providing you with some of the benefits that all employees are entitled to. If you have been hired as an independent contractor but your position resembles that of an employee, you may be entitled to compensation.
Employment Law for Employers
Human Resources
Hiring an experienced human resources lawyer to assist your company’s HR department will make a quantifiable difference, not only in dealing with contentious matters (i.e. employee discipline and terminations), but as a preventative measure by ensuring your contracts, policies and procedures do not expose the company to any future liability.
Employer Defence
Former employees can bring human rights claims, employment standards claims, wrongful dismissal claims, and various other forms of litigation against your business. Our focus is on protecting your company in a cost-optimized way.
Just Cause Termination
Sometimes, employers must terminate misbehaving, negligent, or disobedient employees for just cause. However, termination for cause is a minefield for employers – seek expert legal advice before dismissing an employee in this manner.
WSIB
The Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) administers insurance coverage for workplace injuries and illnesses. Learn whether your workers are covered, whether you need to register your business, and what the penalties could be if you fail to do so.
Labour Law
Labour Arbitrations
Labour arbitration is the dispute settling process in a unionized workplace. Labour arbitration can be used to resolve union grievances, contested policies, or for the negotiation of a new collective agreement.
Collective Bargaining
Collective agreements are fairly complex, and an inexpertly drafted agreement can significantly increase the cost of doing business. During collective bargaining negotiations, employers must consider every facet of employee relations for years to come.
Construction Labour
Construction labour law is more complicated and rule-driven than any other industry in the province. In Ontario, construction labour law is characterized by divisions based on sector, craft, and geographical area, as well as collective agreements that automatically apply to newly certified employers.
Transportation Labour
Labour law in the transportation sector is highly specialized. Either provincial or federal law can apply, depending on the exact nature of the work. Employers may also have certain rights to conduct drug and alcohol testing on employees. Expert legal advice is critical for companies who operate in this industry.
Aviation Labour
Labour law in the aviation sector largely falls under federal jurisdiction. Aviation labour law expertise requires an understanding of how the aviation sector works, together with a detailed knowledge of federal standards and jurisprudence.
Union Avoidance
Keeping your workplace union-free requires careful and strategic planning long before any union organizing drive even begins. One wrong move in the course of a union drive can lead to your business becoming automatically certified.
Defence to Union Grievances
A union grievance constitutes a ‘dispute’ under a collective bargaining agreement. Unions often seek to extend their power by filing grievances. Employers should always respond, with the help of a qualified labour lawyer.
Applications for Certification
Applications for Certification are, at the end of the day, decided by employees. However, employers have certain rights to participate in these matters, which can often make the difference between becoming certified or remaining union-free.
Termination of Bargaining Rights
Termination of Bargaining Rights, also known as “decertification”, occurs when employees no longer wish to be represented by their union. Any hint of employer influence during decertification can thwart the entire process.
Unfair Labour Practice Complaints
Employers have the right to communicate with employees about unionization – even in the course of a union organizing campaign. Employers cannot, however, use coercion, threats, intimidation, promises, or undue influence to turn employees against the union, or else risk an Unfair Labour Practice (ULP) complaint.
Workplace Investigations
Workplace Investigations
A workplace investigation is a fact-finding exercise in which the investigator reviews the complaint, interviews the relevant parties, assesses the pertinent evidence, and reaches a conclusion as to whether the complaint or concern has merit. Most often, workplace investigations are complaint driven, whether on account of harassment, sexual harassment, workplace violence, workplace bullying, and the like.
Associations & Memberships