Employment & HR

Constructive Dismissal

When an employer unilaterally makes a fundamental change to a job, the law may treat it as a termination even though nobody said "you're fired".

Substantial cuts to pay, a significant demotion, a forced relocation, or a poisoned work environment can all potentially amount to constructive dismissal. The employee generally must object rather than simply continue working under the new terms indefinitely.

Why it matters: employers sometimes assume that not using the word "termination" avoids termination obligations. It does not.

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Editorial status: Lawkin Editorial — pending independent legal review.

Constructive Dismissal — Canadian legal glossary | Lawkin — Lawkin