Labour & Employment

Employment & Service Agreements

Employment and service agreements are pivotal documents governing the relationship between employers and employees. Related litigation often involves contract interpretation and enforcement, workplace discrimination and harassment, breaches, and terminations. This encompasses—but is not limited to—wrongful dismissal claims, compensation disputes, enforcement of confidentiality obligations, and the legality and enforceability of non‑compete covenants.

Labour Relations

Labour relations typically involve collective workplace dynamics and broader workforce issues, often concerning interactions between unions and employers. Key areas include:

• Collective Bargaining: Negotiations between unions and employers over wages, working conditions, benefits, and other employment terms.

• Collective Agreement Enforcement: Dispute resolution related to the compliance, interpretation, and application of union‑negotiated contracts.

• Strikes & Lockouts: Legal regulation of strike actions and employer lockouts, including liabilities and procedural requirements.

• Unfair Labour Practices: Addressing any actions by employers or unions that violate labour standards and collective bargaining rights.

Pay Equity

Pay equity ensures that employees receive fair compensation for work of equal value. Litigation in this area challenges unfair treatment in wages, benefits, and other forms of remuneration. Such claims advance gender equality, racial equality, and other protected‑class rights in the workplace. Pay equity is protected under the Employment Standards Act and the Human Rights Code, which prohibit compensation discrimination based on gender, race, religion, or other protected characteristics.

Labour Arbitration Disputes

Labour arbitration is a key mechanism for resolving workplace conflicts, enabling clients to effectively protect their rights through arbitration procedures or settlement negotiations. Whether advocating at arbitration hearings or facilitating negotiated resolutions, AEGIS Law is committed to achieving the best possible outcome and ensuring comprehensive protection of our clients’ legal interests.

Wrongful Dismissal Claims

A wrongful dismissal claim arises when an employee believes they have been terminated in an illegal or unfair manner by their employer. In Ontario, employees are protected under the Employment Standards Act and common law, which together ensure that employees receive fair treatment and appropriate financial compensation upon termination.

WSIB – Workers’ Compensation Assessment

Workers’ compensation assessment determines the benefits an employee is entitled to following a work‑related injury or occupational disease. In Ontario, this process is administered by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), designed to ensure injured workers receive necessary medical care, wage replacement, and, if required, vocational rehabilitation services. The workers’ compensation system provides a no‑fault benefit scheme—workers do not need to prove employer negligence to receive compensation but, in return, relinquish most rights to sue their employer.