Vanguard Law

Vanguard Law Employment, Labour & Human-Rights Counsel Across Ontario Vanguard Law is a remote-first boutique that sees the workplace from every seat at the table.

Contact us today if you want to tilt the scales.

Workplace Investigations in Ontario: A Practical Guide
05/25/2026

Workplace Investigations in Ontario: A Practical Guide

When concerns about harassment, discrimination, violence, bullying, safety, fraud, conflicts of interest, or policy breaches arise, a workplace investigation is often legally required—and always a key risk-control step. This guide explains when you must investigate, how to do it fairly, what t

How to File a Duty of Fair Representation Application in Ontario
05/25/2026

How to File a Duty of Fair Representation Application in Ontario

If you are a unionized employee and believe your union mishandled your workplace issue, you may be considering a duty of fair representation application , often called a DFR application . In Ontario, DFR complaints are usually filed with the Ontario Labour Relations Board , or OLRB . These appl

Remedies for Unionized Employees - If It Is Not Common Law Notice, What Is It?
05/25/2026

Remedies for Unionized Employees - If It Is Not Common Law Notice, What Is It?

When a non-union employee is fired without cause in Ontario, the usual legal question is whether the employer provided enough notice or severance. That often leads to a wrongful dismissal claim seeking common law reasonable notice. For a unionized employee, the analysis is different. If the disput

Duty of Fair Representation Explained - When Does DFR Apply?
05/25/2026

Duty of Fair Representation Explained - When Does DFR Apply?

The duty of fair representation, often called DFR , is one of the most important rights a unionized employee has against their union. In Ontario, the Labour Relations Act, 1995 says a union must not act in a manner that is arbitrary, discriminatory, or in bad faith in representing employees in t

When Can an Independent Lawyer Step in for a Unionized Employee?
05/25/2026

When Can an Independent Lawyer Step in for a Unionized Employee?

If you are a unionized employee in Ontario, you may assume you cannot speak with your own employment lawyer because your union represents you. That is not true. A unionized employee can usually get independent legal advice at any stage of a workplace dispute. The harder question is whether that l

Unionized in Ontario? What Are Your Rights as a Union Employee?
05/25/2026

Unionized in Ontario? What Are Your Rights as a Union Employee?

If you are a unionized employee in Ontario, your workplace rights usually work differently than they do for non-unionized employees. Instead of relying mainly on an individual employment contract or a wrongful dismissal lawsuit, many of your rights come from your collective agreement — the written

How Taking Leave Works
05/18/2026

How Taking Leave Works

Ontario’s Employment Standards Act (ESA) sets minimum, job-protected leaves . On top of that, the Human Rights Code may require extra time off as a disability accommodation, and EI can replace some income. If you’re federally regulated (banks, airlines, telecoms, interprovincial transport), dif

Should Federally Regulated Employees Claim Common Law Notice or Canada Labour Code Unjust Dismissal?
05/14/2026

Should Federally Regulated Employees Claim Common Law Notice or Canada Labour Code Unjust Dismissal?

When a non-unionized employee is terminated, the first question is usually: “How much severance am I owed?” For many Ontario employees, that question leads to a common law wrongful dismissal analysis: length of service, age, position, compensation, and the availability of comparable work. But fo

Regulated Holidays explained
05/11/2026

Regulated Holidays explained

Public holidays can get confusing fast—especially if you have a mix of Ontario-regulated employees, federally regulated employees, part-timers, and contractors. This guide breaks down who gets what time off, when premium pay applies, how public holiday pay is calculated, and how contractors fit in...

Are Bonuses, Commissions, Benefits, and Equity Included in Severance?
05/09/2026

Are Bonuses, Commissions, Benefits, and Equity Included in Severance?

When an Ontario employee is terminated without proper notice, the first number most people look at is base salary. That makes sense. Base pay is usually the most visible part of compensation. But for many employees, base salary is only part of the picture. Bonuses, commissions, health and dental b

Do You Get Your Legal Fees Back If You Pay an Employment Lawyer Hourly in Ontario?
05/09/2026

Do You Get Your Legal Fees Back If You Pay an Employment Lawyer Hourly in Ontario?

One of the most common questions employees ask before hiring an employment lawyer is simple: “If I pay a lawyer by the hour, do I get that money back when the case settles?” The honest answer is: usually, not automatically. But sometimes you may recover some of your legal costs, and in rare c

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