What termination pay means in Ontario

This page is a public educational walkthrough. It is not a retainer, a court form, or a promise about your result. For legal advice, you should contact an appropriate Lawyer or Paralegal specializing in the area of law you need assistance with.

1. Notice, termination pay and severance are not the same thing

   The ESA sets minimum notice or pay in lieu, and a separate severance rule for some employees. A written contract or a common-law claim can be more than the ESA minimum. They are different paths.

2. Read the ESA termination sections on this site

   Length of service drives the ESA minimum. Some employees are excluded. Use Go to section on the ESA page.

3. If you were dismissed and unpaid

   Start with an ESA claim for the statutory piece. A larger common-law claim may belong in court and may need a lawyer or licensed paralegal quickly because limitation dates run.

4. If you are the employer

   Keep the termination letter, the Record of Employment, and the payment calculation. Do not ask someone to sign a release without time to read it.

Official law on this site: employment-workplace-law.

Disclaimer: Know The Law publishes legal information for the public, not legal advice. Court forms, fees and filing channels change. Read the official statute text and the official form page linked from this guide before you act. We do not represent you and we do not file documents for you. For legal advice, you should contact an appropriate Lawyer or Paralegal specializing in the area of law you need assistance with.