1. Get legal advice if you’re being forced out of your job

If you think that your employer is forcing you out of your job, it’s important to get legal advice right away. 

Why it’s important to get legal advice

If you leave the job, you might have the same rights as if you were fired, including the right to get termination pay. But there’s no easy way to know this. It’s very complicated. So you need to talk to a lawyer with experience in employment law.

If you continue to work, your employer may say that you have agreed to the changes. If you leave the job later, you might not have the same rights as if you were fired.

A lawyer can also tell you what your options are and what you might be able to claim if you leave the job. For example, a lawyer could tell you if your employer would likely owe you termination pay and how much that might be.

If you can’t afford to hire a lawyer, there are places where you may be able to get some legal help.

Options if you can’t afford a lawyer

The Law Society Referral Service can give you the name of a lawyer or paralegal you can consult with for free, for up to 30 minutes.

JusticeNet is a program for Canadians with low or moderate incomes. It connects people with lawyers and paralegals who charge lower legal fees based on your income.

There are community legal clinics across Ontario that provide free legal services to people with low incomes. Some clinics help people with work-related problems. And if a clinic can’t help you, they may be able to refer you to someone in your community who can.