Constructive dismissal is when an employer alters the fundamental conditions of the employment contract, which gives the employee little choice but to resign. Many employees do feel that relocation is constructive dismissal. The general rule for establishing constructive dismissal is whether the employment contract has been fundamentally changed. Relocation may be a fundamental change to the employment contract as displayed in past court cases.

The following are a few factors to be aware of when deciding to seek representation by an employment lawyer for relocation as constructive dismissal:
It is important to be aware of whether relocation is an implied term of the employment contract as terms of the employment contract are often not in writing. ‘Implied’ terms are certain provisions that should be reasonably assumed even though not formally written. In the case of a relocation request from an employer, the request may be implied in a number of circumstances. This includes whether the employer has relocated other workers in the past, whether the business is international (has many locations internationally), and the size of the organization. When the business is international and the position is not a demotion, it is generally seen as an implied condition of the employment contract and therefore not grounds for constructive dismissal.
Other factors to be aware of are whether the relocation is temporary, whether there are changes to other fundamental terms of the employment contract (such as pay and responsibilities), whether relocation expenses are being covered by the employer and whether undue hardship will result from the relocation. Further, the relocation must be done in good faith (i.e. for a legitimate business purpose). If you feel that a relocation request would be constructive dismissal for the reasons mentioned or any other factors, it is important to seek legal consultation from an employment law expert.
Courts have ruled against employers when relocation was not a term included in writing within an employment contract, even when the business was international with offices in other countries. For employers, it advisable to included relocation clauses in initial written employment contracts if this is a reasonable expectation given the nature of the company’s operation. For any uncertainties, seek the advice of an employment lawyer.

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