+ YEARS IN PRACTICE
We specialize in:
Wrongful Dismissal
Constructive Dismissal
Maternity Leave
Workplace Harassment
Job Layoffs
Denied Disability Benefits
Lecker & Associates
Toronto Employment Lawyers
We are Toronto employment lawyers specializing in employment and disability benefits law. We have the knowledge, experience and ability to handle challenges that often surface in relationships between employees and their employers. Our lawyers have successfully litigated precedent setting cases and added clarity to laws which previously remained open to interpretation.
Unlike many employment law firms in Toronto, Lecker & Associates exclusively represent employees. This has been our specialty for over 35 years. We recognize the stress our clients are under when they seek out our services. Consequently, we approach each case with professionalism, sensitivity, and tact.
Read more about our employment law services.
At our office in Toronto employment lawyers practice to acquire deep levels of specialization. We conduct a thorough initial appointment to determine which one can best manage your case. Has your employer dismissed you unjustly? Are you a victim of a human rights abuse? Is your employment contract fair? Has your benefits provider unfairly withheld or denied your disability claim?
Each one of these requires a different strategic approach. We assign your case to the lawyer with the best technical knowledge of the subject matter. Consequently, we manage your case for the best outcome possible in your favour.
Bios of our team: Toronto Employment Lawyers.
Legal fees should never deter you from obtaining your lawful entitlements. In the vast majority of cases, we do not require a retainer up-front. Instead, we charge a percentage of the settlement we obtain for you.
Our initial assessment of your situation will be free. When you engage us to work for you, we always begin the relationship with a Service Commitment letter which outlines what we will do for you, along with the corresponding fee. We welcome the opportunity to discuss this openly and frankly.
Revenue Canada allows you to deduct most legal fees incurred for an employment matter when you file your income taxes. At the conclusion of your case, we will provide you with a detailed statement for this purpose.
Read more about our Legal Fees
“$125,000 court win for Ontario couple…” – Lecker & Associates
If there was any doubt before, Ontario’s top court has made the ground rules crystal clear. Precarious employment practices has lead some employers to give the self serving title of “Independent Contractor” to these vulnerable workers. This is the highest ever compensation award for such individuals in Canada and we hope the message is loud and clear. – Bram Lecker
read moreHave you ever given up your seat on the subway or held open a door for a disabled person?
We are brought up with values of goodwill, generosity and honesty. Should your employer not be held up to these same standards of fair play?
Our team at Lecker & Associates believe they should.
Employment Law Services
Let Us Help You Today.
The first step is to be informed. Contacting us in the early stages will arm you with information to properly deal with this process.
Lecker & Associates | Hullmark Corporate Centre, 4789 Yonge Street, Ste. 514 . North York, ON M2N 0G3 . Ph: 416-223-5391 . Email: equalizer@leckerslaw.com | TTC: Yonge-Sheppard Subway Station.
Top 5 Employment Law Questions
Every case we manage at Lecker & Associates is distinctive to the circumstances of the client.
What remains constant is that fact that most people we see arrive with little knowledge of their rights as employees.
Our ultimate goal is to educate our clients about their rights. This arms them with enough power to level the playing field with future employers.
Here are some of the most common questions we get asked.
My employer has hired me as a contractor but I perform the same job as an employee. Is this legal?
This is one of the most contentious employment issues of our times. Lecker & Associates fought a precedent setting case which clarified laws that remained open to interpretation before. If you are an “Independent Contractor”, then you must remain fully in control over your work assignments. Essentially, you would operate like a business. Many project based contractors operate in this manner. They pay their own taxes and generally use their own resources (tools & equipment, etc.); they can set their own hours and also hire employees to complete portions of the work. Often, fees charged by contractors are higher than wages for hourly employees.
You should question the motives of any employer who has hired you as a “dependent contractor”. They may be skirting the law. They might be avoiding paying out your CPP, EI and severance benefits. Contact one of our lawyers for an assessment of your case.
Can my employer ask me to sign an employment contract that suggests I can be let go at will?
Am I entitled to my old job when I return from disability or maternity leave?
You remain an employee of the company when you are on disability or maternity leave. You may return to your original or a comparable job. Your employer cannot fire you for being on leave. If they do, then they must prove that it was for reasons not connected to your leave. Our courts will demand evidence and the bar is set very high, indeed.
If your leave extends beyond two years, your employer can fire you by declaring the employment relationship “frustrated”. And in this event, you should consult with one of our lawyers.
How much severance am I entitled to when my employer lets me go?
When your employer decides to let you go they must offer you fair notice that your job is ending. You can use this time to look for alternative work while earning a salary.
Alternatively, your employer can offer you severance pay in lieu of this notice period. The Employment Standards Act 2000 outlines the minimum standards for notice and severance pay. However, if your employer terminates you without cause then you could receive an additional level of financial compensation. The circumstances of your employment come into play to determine the fairness of your severance package. We review four basic issues; Your age, your position, length of service and how long it will take you to find another job. If you are close to retirement and at a senior point in your career, chances are you will find some challenges to land an equivalent job any time soon. And in this case, your severance should be much higher than the minimum set out in the ESA 2000.
If my employer changes my job description or pay, do I have to accept it?
This sometimes occurs when new owners take over a company with existing employees. They start announcing the “new order” and all of a sudden the terms of your employment change. This includes seniority, job descriptions, location and hours of employment, etc. It may even include wage cuts. If these changes are necessary for the survival of the business then your boss has to provide you with options. He cannot unilaterally change the terms of your employment.
- In exchange for the wage cut, they should offer you equivalent “consideration” .Examples are more vacation time, signing bonuses, reduced hours etc
- If these changes are not acceptable to you, then your employer must offer you an adequate severance package to end your employment relationship.
Client Testimonials
What our clients are saying.