Dismissal "For Cause"

What Is It?

A dismissal "for cause" occurs when an employee's actions in the workplace (or in some circumstances, outside the workplace), destroy the relationship of trust between the employer and employee. It may be that the employee has committed a dishonest act, such as theft, or has engaged in appropriate behaviour, such as the bullying or harassment of a co-worker. In other instances, the employee may have repeatedly failed to deliver adequate work product, despite the employer's coaching and warnings along the way.

Some judges refer to just cause as the "capital punishment of employment law". It is a very high bar for an employer to meet and should be reserved for only the most egregious of circumstances. Usually, a termination for cause only occurs after several warnings and attempts at corrective action. On rare occasions, a single act of wrongdoing may suffice, if that act is sufficiently egregious.

Why You Should Contact Us

An accusation of just cause can have far reaching implications. Not only will you not receive a severance package, but a termination for just cause may disentitle you to employment insurance (EI) benefits. It might also make it incredibly difficult to move on and find a new job.

If your employer has terminated your employment for just cause, you should contact one of our employment lawyers for advice. Contact us to learn more.