Employment Law

Workplace Chat Privacy: Are Your Messages Really Private? Workplace chat privacy is often more limited than employees realize. Messages sent through Slack, Microsoft Teams, and internal workplace chat systems may feel informal, but they can still be accessed, reviewed, retained, or produced as evidence in legal proceedings. Workplace communication now occurs largely through digital platforms….

Workplace Retaliation in Alberta: Know Your Rights Workplace retaliation in Alberta can happen when an employee raises concerns and later faces punishment, exclusion, increased scrutiny, stalled advancement, or other negative treatment because they spoke up. When Speaking Up at Work Leads to Retaliation As he sat across from me, he asked quietly: “Am I being…

Bad faith termination in Alberta may involve much more than the severance amount offered at the end of employment. Courts may examine the full sequence of events, including changes in treatment, misleading communications, retaliation, and the manner in which the employer carried out the dismissal. It did not begin with the termination. It began months…

A few weeks ago, a professional with over a decade of loyal service sat across from me, visibly shaken. She had just been terminated without cause and needed to understand how a severance negotiation in Alberta actually works. The meeting with her employer had lasted less than ten minutes. Her manager slid a letter across…

Imagine this. You are competent, punctual, and committed. Over time, though, something shifts. Projects you once led are reassigned. Meetings you were expected to attend happen without you. Decisions are made around you, not with you. Your title stays the same. Your pay remains unchanged. But your role slowly empties out. No one offers warnings,…

When wondering if you have an enforceable non-compete Alberta clause, the answer often depends on how the contract was drafted. “I have a new job offer,” he said. “Same industry. Different company. I just remembered my contract has a non-compete. Is it enforceable in Alberta, or am I about to get sued?” This individual was…

Not long ago, a client walked into my office with a quiet but pressing concern: he was worried about being fired on paternity leave in Alberta. His wife had just delivered their first child, and he had taken leave to support her and bond with their newborn. But during his time away, something changed at…

In many cases, a temporary layoff in Alberta is not just a pause it is legally a termination. Understanding your rights under the Employment Standards Code and Common Law is essential for securing the severance you deserve. A Calgary Case Study A few months ago, a client walked into my office, eyes narrowed and hands…

When an employment relationship ends, employees often receive a termination letter that refers to Alberta’s minimum employment standards. However, common law severance in Alberta may provide significantly greater notice or compensation in some circumstances. This distinction can be especially important for senior executives, long-term managers, and specialized professionals in Calgary and throughout Alberta. Statutory minimums…

There are few moments more stressful than being called into a private meeting and told that your services are no longer required. In Calgary’s competitive job market, a sudden termination can create immediate uncertainty about your income, career, and future. One of the most common questions employees ask is: “Is it legal for my employer…