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I have been employed with the same company for 10 years this coming July. In October of 2017, I started working at another location, one overnight shift/week. On Friday morning, I received a text message from my GM saying that another employee had quit with no notice that morning. She said that she needed to reorganize the schedule and may need to hire someone. She said she would offer me the 3 nights (Thurs, Fri, Sat), despite knowing that I work Friday mornings 6:15-2 at the other location. I told her I couldn't but would consider changing nights if that would make it easier. She said she wouldn't move the other employee who does Sun-Wed nights. She asked if I could cover a shift on the 16th, and I told her I would talk to my husband and get back to her. Within an hour, prior to my having had a chance to speak to my husband, as I was at work, I received a second text message stating that she had had to "reduce shifts", and thanking me for my understanding in advance. I was scheduled to work that night so I decided not to contact her in favour of waiting to see the "reduced shift" schedule when I went to work that night. Upon arrival, the employee on shift asked me if I had quit and showed me a notice posted on the desk that said "Due to the release of Quinton and Lindsay..." . I checked the schedule and I had been given one more shift, the following Friday, and then removed completely from the schedule. I checked the other employees schedules, and saw that one staff in particular had gained 81 hours as a result of mine and the other employee's hours being given to him.
Can she just fire me like that because someone else quit and it would make her life easier to hire someone for three days instead of 2? She didn't even hire anyone! She just gave the hours to another current employee... an employee who has had multiple complaints against him, but has excuses made for him by the manager, because he is friends with the her daughter.
She has essentially fired me over text message but in not so many words. Other staff knew my employment was ended before I did!
What do I do???
Thank you for your question. My name is Jon Pinkus and I am an employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.
Note that an employer can terminate your employment for any reason, as long as it does not violate the Human Rights Code, and importantly, as long as they pay you your proper severance. After 10 years of service, your entitlements are likely to be significant. Even if the company paid you something, it is likely inadequate and we should discuss what that is.
I would recommend that you contact me at jon.pinkus@stlawyers.ca with your age, position, level of compensation, and any employment offers or contracts you have signed. Then I will be able to accurately assess your entitlements and tell you what we can do to help.
Note that an employer can terminate your employment for any reason, as long as it does not violate the Human Rights Code, and importantly, as long as they pay you your proper severance. After 10 years of service, your entitlements are likely to be significant. Even if the company paid you something, it is likely inadequate and we should discuss what that is.
I would recommend that you contact me at jon.pinkus@stlawyers.ca with your age, position, level of compensation, and any employment offers or contracts you have signed. Then I will be able to accurately assess your entitlements and tell you what we can do to help.