Immediately after you are terminated take notes of what happened, why you were terminated, and the names of anyone who witness the dismissal. These notes will be important to your lawyer. Before seeing a lawyer you should also write down when you started your job and what your duties were. You should also start looking for another job, as there may be a duty to mitigate any financial loss, even if your dismissal was unjustified.
If you have been terminated from your job, a lawyer can determine whether your termination was for cause or not. Termination isn’t always being “fired”. A significant change in job duties or a negative work environment can amount to a dismissal, even if you have “quit”. If you believe you were terminated because of your age, gender, disability, or another personal characteristic, you should consult a lawyer as this may be grounds for a human rights complaint.
If there was no cause, your employer is required to provide you with notice that your job will be terminated, or pay you in lieu of that notice. This requirement cannot be “contracted out of” or waived. The length of notice required to be provided, or the amount of payment in lieu of notice, depends entirely on the circumstances of each case, including your years of service, age, location, and type of work. A lawyer can determine whether the amount offered is fair and appropriate for your situation.
If you have been terminated it is critical that you get legal advice before accepting any termination package, payout, or signing a release. You should also do this as soon as possible as there may be a limitation period.
