Labor (Employment) Lawyers

Lost your job, not being paid what you are owed, or dealing with harassment at work? An employment lawyer can tell you where you stand and what to do next. On this page you can compare lawyers who handle workplace problems, see their rates and availability, and book a consultation online.

What an employment lawyer does

A lawyer in this field advises employees and employers on their rights and obligations at work. That can mean reviewing a contract or a termination letter, explaining your options, negotiating a departure or a settlement, and representing you before the CNESST, the labour tribunal or the courts. Getting advice early often makes the difference, because many workplace remedies depend on acting quickly.

Most lawyers listed on this page practise in Quebec, where employment is governed by Quebec laws and the Civil Code of Québec. Some employers, such as banks, airlines and telecommunications companies, fall under federal rules instead, and a lawyer can tell you which ones apply to you.

Common workplace problems

• Dismissal: you were let go and are unsure whether it was lawful, or whether what you were offered on leaving is fair.
• Constructive dismissal: your employer made major changes to your job, pay or hours without your agreement, leaving you little choice but to quit.
• Unpaid wages: salary, overtime, vacation pay or other amounts your employer has not paid.
• Psychological harassment: repeated hostile or humiliating conduct that harms your dignity or your health.
• Discrimination: unfair treatment linked to a personal characteristic such as sex, age, disability or origin.
• Workplace injury: an accident or illness, physical or psychological, caused by your work.
• Contract review: checking an employment contract, a non-compete clause or a separation agreement before you sign.

Quebec rules: CNESST, labour standards and the TAT

In Quebec, the Act respecting labour standards sets minimum working conditions such as pay, leave, notice and protection against psychological harassment. Many complaints, including unpaid wages, some dismissals and harassment, are filed with the CNESST, which also handles workplace injury claims. If the matter is not settled, it can go to the Tribunal administratif du travail (TAT), which hears most workplace disputes in the province.

The deadlines to file these complaints are short, and missing one can end your recourse. If you have just been dismissed or harassed, act quickly. If you are unionized, your recourse usually goes through your union and the grievance process under your collective agreement, so talk to your union representative first.

Dismissal and termination in Quebec

An employer can end a job for a serious reason, such as misconduct, or without cause. Without a serious reason, you are generally entitled to notice or pay in lieu of notice. The Act respecting labour standards sets a minimum, and the Civil Code of Québec can require reasonable notice that is often more generous, depending on your length of service, your role and other factors.

Once you have worked long enough for the same employer, you can also contest a dismissal made without good and sufficient cause, and sometimes ask to be reinstated. A lawyer can check whether you qualify.

Severance offers are often negotiable and usually come with a release, a document in which you give up your claims against the employer. Get advice before signing it: once signed, a release is hard to undo.

Psychological harassment at work

Psychological harassment is repeated hostile or unwanted conduct, words or gestures that harm your dignity or health and make your workplace harmful, including sexual harassment. A single serious incident can also count.

Your employer must take reasonable steps to prevent harassment and stop it once aware of it, and must have a policy explaining how to report it. Use that internal process first if it is safe to do so. If it continues, you can complain to the CNESST within a limited time after the last incident.

Keep evidence from the start: dated notes of each incident, emails and messages, witnesses' names, any report you made and the response, and medical notes if your health was affected.

Employment contracts and non-competes

Before accepting an offer, read the whole contract, not just the salary: duties, bonus and benefits, how the job can end, and any confidentiality, non-competition or non-solicitation clauses.

In Quebec, a non-competition clause must be in writing and reasonably limited in time, territory and type of work to be enforceable, and a court can refuse to apply one that goes too far. An employer that ends your job without a serious reason may also lose the right to rely on it. Non-solicitation clauses are assessed similarly.

A probation period lets both sides assess the fit, but it does not remove your basic rights, such as pay for all hours worked and protection against harassment.

What an employment lawyer costs

Each lawyer sets their own rates, whether hourly, a fixed fee for a defined task such as reviewing a contract or a separation agreement, or a mix of both. On JustiConnect you can see each lawyer's rates on their profile and compare them before you book. At your first consultation, ask for an estimate of the total cost.

Free help also exists. The CNESST provides information on labour standards and can guide you through a complaint, Éducaloi explains workplace rights in plain language, and legal aid may cover some cases if you are financially eligible.

When to get a lawyer

• Before signing an employment contract, a non-compete clause or a separation agreement.
• When you are dismissed, laid off or pushed to resign.
• If you are experiencing harassment or discrimination at work.
• When you are negotiating what you receive on leaving your job.
• If a complaint or dispute with your employer is not being resolved, or a deadline may be close.

Not sure who to pick? Our guide on how to choose a lawyer in Quebec walks you through it.

Compare and book on JustiConnect

Browse the lawyers listed below, filter by location, rates and availability, and book a consultation directly. You can also search all employment and labour lawyers or see the employment law lawyers in Montreal.

Frequently asked questions

Labour law or employment law?

Labour law usually refers to unions, collective agreements and collective bargaining, while employment law covers the individual relationship between an employee and an employer. Many lawyers handle both, and this page lists lawyers for either kind of problem.

Can I sue my employer for stress?

It depends on the cause. If the stress comes from psychological harassment, labour standards provide a complaint process. If your work made you ill, the workplace injury regime handled by the CNESST generally applies, and it often replaces a lawsuit against the employer. A lawyer can tell you which route fits your situation.

Is there a deadline to contest a dismissal?

Yes, and it is short. The exact deadline depends on the type of complaint and whether you are unionized, so get advice as soon as possible after you are let go.

Should I sign a release or severance offer?

Not right away. Take the time to review it and have a lawyer check it first. A lawyer can tell you whether it reflects what you may be owed, what you would give up by signing, and whether there is room to negotiate.