In my experience as an employment lawyer, bad employers typically fall into two categories: blamers and bullies.
Blamers only acknowledge the mistakes made by employees and don’t offer adequate support to their staff. This can cause workers to feel like their boss is building a case against them and that their job is in jeopardy.
READ MORE: Think you may lose your job? 5 quick facts about the termination process
Bullies mistreat, harass and discriminate against employees. In both cases, these employers create a toxic and unbearable workplace for staff.
Everyone has the right to work in a safe and harassment-free environment. If you are dealing with a bad boss, whether they’re a blamer or bully, here are three things you should do.
1. Keep a record of all incidents
It’s illegal for employees to be discriminated against based on protected aspects, including age, race, gender and religion. If you experience harassment or discrimination in the workplace, you have the right to file a complaint without being punished or fired.
Document all instances of harassment, discrimination and miscommunication involving your employer. Letters, emails and text messages give your claim credibility and prevent a bad boss from being able to argue against it.
Companies should have a policy that outlines who staff can speak to if they are targeted by a supervisor or manager. One example would be the human resources department.
If you can’t deal with the situation internally, an employment lawyer can help you explore your legal options.
2. Don’t quit your job
In some cases, a bad boss will go out of their way to make you want to quit or even pressure you to do so. If you voluntarily resign, you aren’t owed severance pay or employment insurance.
Your employer can’t force you to quit your job. If your company creates, or allows for the creation of, a toxic work environment, you could have a claim for constructive dismissal. This would allow you to resign and still receive full severance pay.
If you think you’ve been constructively dismissed, contact an employment lawyer. We can review your situation and help you determine if you are entitled to compensation.
READ MORE: 5 vital facts about severance pay you probably weren’t aware of
Severance can be as much as 24 months’ pay. It’s calculated using a number of factors, including age, position, length of service and your ability to find new work.
To figure out how much you might be owed, you can also use my firm’s free Severance Pay Calculator tool. If your company’s offer falls short of what is appropriate, you have been wrongfully dismissed and should file a claim to ensure you receive proper compensation.
3. Contact an employment lawyer immediately
If you feel like your employer is building a case against you and that your job is in jeopardy, seek legal counsel. I have helped many clients who were victims of verbal and physical harassment by a supervisor or pressured to resign by a bad boss.
READ MORE: 5 of the most common work situations where getting an employment lawyer can help
Doing nothing puts your employment and mental health at risk. If your employer does decide to fire you or let you go, make sure you get the compensation you’re owed.
An experienced employment lawyer, like the ones at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, can help you enforce your workplace and human rights.
Bullied or harassed by a bad boss? Are you being pressured to quit your job?
Contact the firm or call 1-855-821-5900 to secure assistance from an employment lawyer in Ontario, Alberta or British Columbia. Get 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 free advice as the host of Canada’s only Employment Law Show on TV and radio.