Playing With Fire – Constructive Dismissal and Mitigation
In what can only be described as a Pyrrhic victory, a recent Ontario Superior Court summary judgment decision highlights the employment risks present in temporary lay-offs during a business downtown. This decision is a strong reminder that lay-offs are not an automatic contractual right and can trigger a constructive dismissal claim. This decision also confirms that employees must take offers of re-employment seriously when alleging constructive dismissal.