Termination with cause allows an employer to dismiss an employee immediately, without notice or severance in many circumstances, but Ontario law sets a high threshold before that can happen. Dismissal with cause is one of the hardest decisions a business owner must face. Ending someone's employment immediately carries a personal weight that no amount of legal preparation fully removes, even when the underlying conduct is serious and the decision is clearly justified.

Letting an employee go is never easy but doing it the right way is essential to avoid wrongful dismissal disputes. If a termination is not carried out according to employment laws, an employer could face costly, time-consuming, and stressful legal claims. Therefore, it is imperative for employers to follow proper procedures when ending a working relationship with an employee. This also extends to situations involving an “independent contractor” who may, in fact, be a “dependent contractor” or perhaps even an employee under certain circumstances.