When many people think about their rights and entitlements as an employee or other type of worker, they think of their provincial labour or employment standards legislation. Statutes like Ontario’s Employment Standards Act set minimum standards for things like wages, working hours, vacation time and notice periods for severance or termination. However, this is only one piece of the whole picture when it comes to understanding and negotiating the terms of your employment or your departure.

What many people don’t realise - and employers won’t tell you - is that there is another source of law that operates at the same time as statutes enacted by provinces. The “common law” is the body of court decisions that establishes another set of rules or standards that govern employment relationships. Sometimes the common law reinforces or clarifies the standards in provincial legislation, and in some situations - especially when it comes to reasonable notice or pay in lieu - the common law provides employees with greater rights than statutory minimums.

Your rights and entitlements at the end of your employment are also governed by the terms of your employment contract. Details like whether you are still entitled to receive a bonus when your employment ends are usually determined long before the situation presents itself. An employer may even include very specific language that prevents you from claiming reasonable notice or pay in lieu under the common law, and limits you to the much lower minimums of provincial statutes.

Cassandra assists workers at every stage of their employment relationship. Whether you are about to accept a position with a new employer, going through a change in your position or working conditions with an existing employer, or you’ve been presented with a severance package, Cassandra can help you understand what you are entitled to under employment standards legislation, the common law, and the contract you have or are considering signing.

An employment contract sets the standards for more than just your job - in many ways, it sets the standards for your life. Cassandra can help you understand your employment contract before you sign it - putting you in a better position to negotiate the terms that are most important to you, and helping you to plan for the future. She can also guide you through any potential or ongoing changes to your role or terms of employment - the good and the bad - and help make sure you’re treated and compensated fairly if it comes to and end.