There are times, such as times of financial difficulties, when employers may use certain tactics to reduce their workforce, such as:

• large-scale restructuring
• mass layoffs
• group terminations
• “voluntary” pay-cuts

Throughout these types of workforce reductions, or through other miscalculations, there is evidence that the employer violated workplace laws. Such violations could fall under the Employment Standards Act, 2000, the Canada Labour Code or the Human Rights and Workplace Discrimination law.

Violations include some of the following:

• mass wrongful termination
• group ageism
• misclassification of employee as a contractor vs employee
• miscalculation of vacation, public holiday and overtime pay

In many cases, these changes or inaccuracies create repercussions that affect numerous employees in the same manner, giving rise to a potential class action lawsuit or group employment law claim.