Employment law for employees
Wrongful dismissal and employment representation for employees in Toronto and Ontario
If you have lost your job, been asked to accept a package, or feel pushed out of a workplace, it can be hard to know what to do next. Eli Penner is a licensed Ontario paralegal who represents employees in the Greater Toronto Area and across the province, within the scope of a paralegal licence.
Eli helps employees dealing with the end of a job or a serious workplace problem. That includes wrongful dismissal, constructive dismissal, and terminations with or without cause. He will review what you have been told and what you have been offered, explain your options in plain language, and represent you in a process that a paralegal may take on.
“Without cause” does not always mean you have no rights. Employers often still have obligations around notice, termination pay, or severance under the Employment Standards Act, 2000, and some employees may also have claims that can be brought in court or at a tribunal. “With cause” terminations are serious, and the facts matter. Constructive dismissal can arise when a workplace change is significant enough that, in law, it may be treated as a termination — for example, a major cut in pay or duties. Whether any of this applies to you depends on your situation. Eli will not promise a result, and this page is general information, not legal advice.
What a paralegal can — and cannot — do
Under Law Society of Ontario By-Law 4, a licensed paralegal may give advice, negotiate, prepare documents, and appear in certain proceedings. For employees, that commonly includes complaints under the Employment Standards Act, 2000, applications before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, and employment-related claims in the Ontario Small Claims Court. As of October 1, 2025, the Small Claims Court may hear claims of up to $50,000.
A paralegal may not generally represent you in the Superior Court of Justice. If a dismissal claim belongs in that court — for example, because the amount in issue is above the Small Claims limit and you do not wish to waive the excess — you would usually need a lawyer. If that is the case, Eli will tell you so rather than take on work he cannot do.
Employment Standards Act and the Human Rights Tribunal
Some issues, such as unpaid wages, vacation pay, public holiday pay, or the minimum notice and termination pay set out in the Employment Standards Act, 2000, can be raised through a complaint to the Ministry of Labour. A complaint about a contravention of that Act is generally deemed not to have been filed if the contravention occurred more than two years before the complaint was filed. Recoverable wages are also generally limited to wages that became due in the two years before the complaint was filed.
If the problem involves discrimination or harassment in employment that may be covered by Ontario’s Human Rights Code, an application may be made to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. An application must generally be filed within one year after the incident, or if there was a series of incidents, within one year after the last incident. The Tribunal may accept a late application only in limited circumstances.
These time limits can be strict. If you think a deadline may be close, contact Eli promptly so he can help you understand the process. Do not rely on this summary alone for your own dates.
How Eli works
You work directly with Eli. He is based in North York, Toronto, and assists clients throughout the GTA and Ontario. He is fluent in English and Hebrew. A first conversation is a chance to outline what happened and ask whether the matter is something a paralegal can take on. Please do not send confidential documents until he has confirmed that he can act for you.
For related processes, see also Small Claims Court and how to get in touch.
Frequently asked questions
Can a paralegal help with a wrongful dismissal claim?
A licensed paralegal may represent an employee in a workplace dispute that falls within paralegal scope. That includes Employment Standards Act complaints, applications to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, and employment-related claims in the Small Claims Court, currently up to $50,000. Claims that must be brought in the Superior Court of Justice generally require a lawyer. Eli will tell you if your matter is outside what he can take on.
How long do I have to file an ESA complaint or an HRTO application?
A complaint about a contravention of the Employment Standards Act, 2000 is generally deemed not to have been filed if the contravention occurred more than two years before the complaint was filed. An application to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario must generally be filed within one year after the incident, or if there was a series of incidents, within one year after the last incident. The Tribunal may accept a late application only in limited circumstances. Deadlines can be strict, so it is wise to get advice promptly. This is general information, not advice about your situation.
Will I work directly with Eli?
Yes. Clients work directly with Eli. He is based in North York, Toronto, and assists employees in the Greater Toronto Area and across Ontario. He can also work with clients in Hebrew.
What should I have ready for a first call?
It helps to have your termination letter or package, employment contract if you have one, recent pay information, and a short timeline of what happened. Do not send confidential documents until Eli has confirmed that he can take on your matter.
Have you lost your job or been offered a package?
Call or email Eli to talk through your situation. You will reach him directly.