Sarah Lawson is an employment lawyer at Harrison Pensa representing and advising both employers and employees in the full spectrum of the employment relationship including human rights complaints, allegations of discrimination or harassment, workplace safety, occupational health, and wrongful termination disputes.
Full Decision Background In Wilsher v. Olympic Wholesale, 2026 ONSC 3620, the plaintiff brought an action against his former employer seeking damages for wrongful dismissal and allegations of bad faith conduct. The court awarded the plaintiff a total notice period of 33 months, nearly double the length of his employment. The Plaintiff’s Termination for Cause The plaintiff was first hired by the defendant company …
Full Decision Background In William Williamson v. Brandt Tractor Inc., 2025 ONSC 2571, the plaintiff brought an action for wrongful dismissal against his former employer having been terminated for cause. On appeal, the Ontario Court of Appeal allowed the appeal in part and damages awarded to the plaintiff were reduced by $32,881.43. The Ontario Superior Court of Justice Decision At the time of his termination, …
Full Decision Background In Warren v. Canaccord Genuity Corp., which was a wrongful dismissal action, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice awarded the plaintiff more than $2.5 million in damages. Significantly, the court awarded the plaintiff damages for his bonus over his notice period of 21 months using the “comparator approach” rather than the average of his bonuses over the last three years of his employment. …
Full Decision Background In N.M. v. C.T., 2026 ONSC 365, the plaintiff brought an action against her former employer for sexual assault, which occurred in the workplace. The Ontario Superior Court of Justice awarded the plaintiff damages in the amount of $137,689. The Plaintiff’s Employment The defendant owned a bar and restaurant and employed the plaintiff as a server. The plaintiff began her employment with …
Full Decision Background In Carroll v. Oracle Canada ULC, 2025 ONSC 4889, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice awarded the plaintiff damages for wrongful dismissal. Significantly, the court awarded the plaintiff punitive damages in an amount equal to the amount of the plaintiff’s withheld commissions. The Plaintiff’s Employment & Reasonable Notice Period The plaintiff, Steve Carroll, began working for Oracle Canada ULC (Oracle), in November …
Full Decision Background InLischuk v. K-Jay Electric Ltd, 2025 ABKB 460, the Alberta Court of King’s Bench awarded the plaintiff damages for a notice period of 26-months and found that “exceptional circumstances” existed to exceed the “rough upper limit of 24 months.” The Plaintiff’s Employment The plaintiff, Mr. Lischuk, began working for K-Jay Electric Ltd (K-Jay) when he was 23 years old. Mr. Lischuk started …