When an employer makes a fundamental, unilateral change — a demotion, a big pay cut, or a toxic environment — you may be treated as dismissed even though you weren't fired, entitling you to severance. It's also easy to get wrong, so advice first is critical.

Discrimination at Work

It's unlawful to treat employees adversely because of protected characteristics like sex, race, age, religion, disability, or family status — in hiring, pay, promotion, discipline, or dismissal. Claims run through human-rights tribunals or the courts, with real remedies.

Fired Without Cause

Being dismissed without cause is usually legal — but only with proper notice or severance. Many employees are offered far less than the law or their contract provides, and signing a release too quickly can waive the difference.

Harassment at Work

Employers have a legal duty to provide a workplace free of harassment and to investigate complaints. Documenting incidents and reporting through the right channel preserves your remedies — and retaliation for complaining is itself unlawful.

Non-Compete & Restrictive Covenants

Non-compete and non-solicit clauses are viewed skeptically and are often unenforceable if broader than necessary to protect a legitimate business interest. Whether yours binds you depends on its wording, your role, and where you are — some places ban them outright.

Reviewing a Severance Package

A severance offer is a starting position, not a verdict. Before signing a release, have the numbers, benefits continuation, bonus treatment, and restrictive covenants checked — improvements are common and the release makes it final.

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Go deeper

Guides, Forums & Where This Is Decided

Background reading and the bodies that hear employment law matters.

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Where this is decided

Alberta Human Rights Commission
Alberta · Administrative — investigative & adjudicative
Appeals Commission for Alberta Workers' Compensation
Alberta · Administrative — appellate
BC Human Rights Tribunal
British Columbia · Administrative — adjudicative
Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse (CDPDJ)
Quebec · Administrative — investigative
Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO)
Ontario · Administrative — adjudicative

All courts & tribunals

If your issue involves a company or institution, the Employment consumer rights section sets out how to escalate and who regulates it.