Alberta Labour & Employment Lawyers
At Chivers Carpenter, our union-side labour lawyers have been representing individuals and labour organizations in Alberta and across Canada for nearly 30 years. We work alongside CLC, independent national, and independent local labour organizations and their members to correct injustices in every area of the workplace, including:
Wrongful dismissals
An employer may only terminate an employee when one or more of three conditions are met: the employee was terminated for just cause; the employee was given advance notice; and/or the employee is provided an appropriate severance package. However, the amount of notice or the amount of pay is often in dispute and can vary widely according to the employee’s age, tenure, salary, and myriad other factors.
Constructive dismissals
A constructive dismissal occurs when an employer tries to make an employee resign by creating a hostile work environment. A few of the many strategies employed include bullying and harassment, demotions, pay cuts, dramatic change to work duties, and ignoring complaints. In order for these elements to constitute constructive dismissal, however, a lawyer must prove that the employer did these things intentionally and with the purpose of causing an employee to resign.
Mitigation disputes
Terminated employees have a responsibility to take reasonable steps to obtain other employment, including a comparable job with the same employer, if available, in order to be eligible for severance and other benefits. However, they are not required to take a demotion, a pay cut, or a position with drastically different duties.
Harassment
Antagonistic behavior that is intended to annoy, scare, or intimidate another person is strictly prohibited in the workplace. Unwanted sexual advances, physical contact, or communication, even if not intended to intimidate, is also a serious offense.
Privacy issues
Privacy is a complex issue in the workplace, especially as technology continues to advance and digital files, remote monitoring devices, and social media all raise new questions about the line between employees’ personal and professional life and in keeping
Employment contracts
We help you navigate the legal complexities of drafting, reviewing, revising, and accepting legal documents to make sure you understand the terms of your agreement and obtain the most mutually beneficial deal possible.
Non solicit and non compete agreements
Non-solicitation and non-compete agreements both limit how former employees can conduct business or obtain employment after leaving the company. Before you sign an agreement, it’s imperative to understand the ramifications of these clauses and to make sure they’ve been legally constructed.
Employment insurance appeals
Employment insurance (EI) is designed to provide temporary assistance for workers who have lost their jobs due to company layoffs. If your EI application has been unfairly denied, we can work on your behalf to appeal the decision.
Canada pension appeals
The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) provides benefits after retirement or in the event that you become disabled. If you die, your benefits may also be paid to your estate, surviving spouse, or children. If you feel that your request for pension benefits has been unfairly denied, let us review your case with you.
Workers compensation claims
Workers compensation covers your medical expenses as well as (in certain instances) pain and suffering if you are hurt on the job. If your claim has been unfairly denied, we can help represent you before your employer’s insurance company.
We believe that every Canadian has the right to be fairly treated in his workplace and we are not afraid to represent even the most junior employee against the most powerful firms.
If you or someone in your organization is being or has been unfairly treated by an employer, give us a call to see how we can help. We offer assistance at all levels of the legal process, including arbitration hearings, labour board hearings, and court trials. Call us for a consultation at (780) 439-3611.
