Employment contract lawyer
in Ontario
Offered a new job, or asked to sign new terms? Plain-language contract reviews for employees in Ontario, online by video or phone.
Initial consultation free for employment and human rights matters.
An employment contract sets more than pay and duties. It can limit what you receive if the job ends, restrict where you work next, and set the rules for bonuses, commission and probation. A review before you sign explains what each clause means in practice, which terms the law would not enforce, and what may be worth raising with the employer.
What we can do for you
Offer review
Plain-language review of offers, non-competes and termination clauses before you accept.
More about severance reviews →Termination clause check
We check whether the termination clause in your contract complies with the Act.
More about wrongful dismissal →New terms and changes
Advice when your employer asks you to sign a new contract or changes your existing terms.
How a consultation works
You book
Choose a time online, or email us. You don't need any documents yet, and nothing you send at this stage is a commitment.
We run a conflict check
A lawyer can't act for both sides of the same dispute. So before we hear the details, we confirm we haven't acted for the other party, such as your employer or the school. It's a short check, and we email you as soon as it's done.
Your consultation
By video or phone. You tell us what happened. We listen, then explain your options in plain language. Ask anything.
You decide
If you'd like more help, we explain the cost before any work starts, in writing. If not, there's no obligation and no charge.
Reviewing an offer before you sign
Many people find it helpful to have an offer reviewed before accepting it, while there is still room to ask questions. A review usually looks at:
- The termination clause, and what it would mean if the job ended.
- Probation, bonus, commission and benefit terms.
- Non-compete, non-solicitation and confidentiality clauses.
- Whether the contract is signed before the start date, or only afterwards.
Termination clauses
A contract cannot reduce the minimums under the Employment Standards Act, 2000. A termination clause that complies with the Act can limit an employee to those minimums instead of the longer common-law reasonable notice. Ontario courts have found many clauses unenforceable because of how they were written, sometimes because one part, such as the wording on termination for cause, does not comply with the Act. Whether a clause holds is one of the first questions in any review.
Non-compete agreements
Since October 25, 2021, the Employment Standards Act has prohibited employers from entering into non-compete agreements with employees, with two exceptions: some sales of a business, where the seller becomes an employee of the buyer immediately after the sale, and executives, such as a chief executive officer, president or other chief-level officer. The ban does not apply to agreements made before that date, though courts have long been cautious about enforcing non-competes. Non-solicitation and confidentiality clauses are not prohibited by the Act, and whether one is enforceable depends on how it is written.
Changes to an existing contract
Employers sometimes ask employees to sign a new contract or new terms partway through the job. Generally, a change to a key term needs the employee's agreement, and new terms often need to come with something new in exchange, such as a raise or a promotion. A significant change imposed without agreement may amount to constructive dismissal.
Related: Employment law · Severance in Ontario: what the law requires · Constructive dismissal
General information, not legal advice. Last reviewed: October 2026 · Lutfi Law
Common questions
Still unsure? Our assistant can answer general questions any time.
Ask the AI assistantShould I have my employment contract reviewed before signing?
You don't have to, but it helps. A review explains what the termination clause and other restrictions mean, while there is still time to ask questions.
Are non-competes allowed in Ontario?
Since October 25, 2021, the Employment Standards Act has prohibited most non-compete agreements with employees. The exceptions are some sales of a business and executives. Agreements made before that date are not covered by the ban.
What is a termination clause?
It is the part of the contract that says what you receive if the job ends without cause. If it complies with the Employment Standards Act, it can limit you to the minimums under the Act. If it does not, common-law reasonable notice may apply instead.
Is a non-solicitation clause the same as a non-compete?
No. A non-solicitation clause limits contacting the employer's clients or staff, and the Act does not prohibit it. Whether it can be enforced depends on how it is written.
Can a contract give me less than the Employment Standards Act?
No. A contract cannot reduce the minimums under the Act. A clause that tries to do so is generally not enforced.
My employer wants me to sign a new contract. Do I have to?
Generally, a change to a key term needs your agreement, and often something new in exchange. How to respond depends on the change and the existing contract.
Is the first consultation free?
Yes. The initial consultation is free for employment matters.
Terminated in Ontario? 5 things to do before you sign.
A one-page checklist to keep nearby before you make any decisions. Free to download, no email needed.
General information, not legal advice.
