Chipotle recently celebrated a major milestone as it expands its footprint in Ontario.
The restaurant chain opened its 50th Canadian location at Markville Mall in Markham earlier this month—providing the first 50 people to order in-store with special merchandise.
READ MORE: Shake Shack opening two new stores in Toronto: Employee rights
As Chipotle increases its presence in the province, that means more employment opportunities for Ontarians.
Here are three key rights that non-unionized workers need to be aware of before starting a new job in Ontario.
1. You don’t have to sign an employment contract immediately
When Ontarians receive an employment contract, many people believe that they need to accept it as soon as possible. However, this isn’t true.
If you receive a job offer from an employer, don’t sign anything before speaking with an experienced employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP. The company can’t force you to accept it on the spot or a few days after it was provided to you.
In many cases, employment contracts take away key protections that would otherwise be available to non-unionized workers in the province.
Get breaking National news
My firm can review the agreement and ensure that your rights are properly protected.
2. You might be owed severance pay if you’re fired during probation
In Ontario, it’s not unusual for employers to ask new staff members to complete a probationary period.
If you are fired or let go during this time, you might be owed severance pay—even if the employment contract you signed contains a “probation clause.”
READ MORE: Law firm’s tool helps employees figure out how much severance they’re owed if fired
Being terminated while on probation is a situation that one of my clients, a restaurant manager in Markham, found himself in.
Two weeks before his probationary period was scheduled to end, the individual received a phone call from his employer—informing him that he was being let go because his position was “no longer necessary.”
Doing his best to maintain his composure, he thanked his boss for the call and cleared his desk after hanging up.
Once he got home, the manager contacted Samfiru Tumarkin LLP—curious if he was entitled to severance pay.
READ MORE: Fired for no reason? Employment lawyer explains why your employer can do that
Fortunately for my client, his employment contract didn’t contain a probation clause.
After conversations with his employer, I was able to secure a favourable amount of compensation for him.
3. Inducement affects your severance entitlements
Instead of waiting for top talent to knock on their door, many employers in Ontario actively recruit non-unionized workers from other companies.
When businesses take documented steps to pull individuals away from their current employer, this is known as “inducement.”
If you decide to work for a company that is trying to recruit you, and you are fired or let go shortly after making the switch, contact the experienced employment law team at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP before accepting a severance offer.
READ MORE: 6 common employer mistakes that could lead to a bigger payout after termination
Since 2007, my firm has helped tens of thousands of Ontarians resolve their workplace issues.
We can confirm that the inducement was correctly factored into your severance package and help you obtain the compensation you deserve if it wasn’t.
Being pressured to accept an employment contract or severance offer immediately?
Contact the firm or call 1-855-821-5900 for a consultation with an employment or disability lawyer. We will get you the advice you need and the compensation you deserve.
Lior Samfiru is an employment lawyer and co-founding partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, Canada’s most positively reviewed law firm specializing in employment law and long-term disability claims. He provides legal insight on Canada’s only Employment Law Show on TV and radio.