In the case of Howard v. Benson (2016), the Ontario Court of Appeals cleared up any uncertainty regarding employers ending fixed-term employment contracts prematurely. In the case, the court ruled that fixed-term employment contracts require employers to pay the employee the reminder of what would have been earned had the contract not been ended prematurely. In other words, a typical severance package or notice is not sufficient. There is an exception, however. For fixed term contracts that contain a termination clause, the provisions of the clause would apply given it complies with minimal standards legislation.
Given recent developments, employers are held to rigorous standards when drafting such clauses as any uncertainties in language may render the clause invalid. This makes it imperative for employers to seek legal assistance when implementing termination clauses within fixed-term employment contracts. In the event the clause is found unenforceable, the balance of the contract would be owed to the employee.
Employers should also be aware that an employee’s duty to mitigate damages does not apply when the employer decides to prematurely end a fixed term contract without a termination clause. Normally, if an employee does not mitigate damages by searching for comparable employment during the notice period, the courts will award less in damages to the employee.  But in the case of fixed-term contracts, employers will owe the remaining balance of the contract regardless of the employee’s efforts to mitigate damages. This makes it all more important for employers to implement a termination clause. Always seek the assistance of an employment lawyer when implementing termination clauses within fixed-term contracts to ensure the clause is enforceable if challenged.