A popular submarine sandwich chain is getting ready to sink its teeth into Mississauga’s food scene.
Jersey Mike’s Subs is reportedly planning to set up shop at Meadowvale Town Centre and Heartland Town Centre later this year. The update comes after the company’s recent debut in Pickering.
READ MORE: Shake Shack expanding in Toronto: What employees need to know
As Jersey Mike’s increases its presence across the Greater Toronto Area, the expansion is expected to create 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 individuals believe that they need to accept it as soon as possible. However, this isn’t true.
Once you have a job offer in your possession, hold off on signing anything until you speak with an experienced employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP. The employer 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.
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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
It’s not unusual for businesses in Ontario to ask new staff members to complete a probationary period.
In the event that you’re 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 Mississauga, found herself in.
Just three days before her six-month probationary period was scheduled to end, the individual received a phone call from her employer—informing her that she was being let go because her position was “no longer necessary.”
Fighting back tears, she thanked her boss for the call and cleared her desk after hanging up.
Once she got home, the manager immediately contacted Samfiru Tumarkin LLP—curious if she was entitled to severance pay.
READ MORE: Fired for no reason? Employment lawyer explains why your employer can do that
Fortunately for my client, her employment contract didn’t contain a probation clause.
After conversations with her employer, I was able to secure an extremely favourable amount of compensation for the manager.
3. Inducement affects your severance entitlements
Instead of waiting for top talent to knock on their door, many businesses in Ontario actively recruit non-unionized workers from other companies.
When employers take documented steps to pull individuals away from their current job, this is known as “inducement.”
If you decide to work for a company that’s trying to recruit you, and you’re 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.
Our goal is to deliver the results that matter to you. We’ve structured our fees to be as transparent, fair and accessible as possible.
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 lawyer. 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.