You loved your job once. Then everything changed. Maybe it started with a pay cut, a demotion, or watching your work responsibilities be slowly delegated to others. Perhaps your office environment turned hostile and unhealthy. Whatever the cause, one day it became clear that staying wasn’t an option for you anymore. In Alberta, many professionals leave their jobs because their employer has made it nearly impossible to stay. If you’ve been pushed to resign for any of these reasons, you may be dealing with what’s legally known as constructive dismissal.
It’s exhausting to feel pushed out of a job you’ve worked hard for. If you’re in Alberta, talking to a wrongful dismissal lawyer can make a real difference. They know how Alberta’s laws apply to your situation and can help you figure out your next steps.
What Is Constructive Dismissal?
When people can’t be easily fired from their jobs, they are sometimes pushed out illegally. Unethical employers may intentionally increase an employee’s discomfort and stress until they are forced to resign. For example, if an employer suddenly made big changes to your job duties without your consent and it affected your ability to do your work, that could be considered constructive dismissal. Even if you handed in a resignation letter, the law may still treat it as a termination, especially if you felt like leaving was your only choice.
Some common examples include:
- Cutting your salary, commissions, or benefits
- Taking away key responsibilities or giving you a lower position
- Changing your hours or work location with no discussion
- Allowing a toxic or hostile work environment to continue
- Suspending you without a valid reason or without pay
If any of this sounds familiar, you may have a valid legal claim, and that’s when a conversation with an employment lawyer can be a game-changer.
Your Rights Under Alberta Law
In Alberta, employees have two layers of legal protection under the Employment Standards Code and common law. So even if your employer technically followed the rules according to the code, the courts can still decide that they acted unfairly according to common law if they pressured you to leave or made unreasonable changes to your job.
For someone who’s built a steady career with the same employer over several years, a forced resignation can be more than stressful; it can have a real financial and emotional impact. That’s why it’s worth having an experienced employment lawyer review your case.
Why Legal Advice Matters
Constructive dismissal cases are often more complicated than standard terminations. Before you resign, or even shortly after, it’s a good idea to speak with a wrongful dismissal lawyer in Calgary. A lawyer can:
- Review what’s changed in your job
- Help you document what’s happened
- Advise you on whether to stay, resign, or take legal steps
- Help you pursue compensation, including severance
Timing is also critical. If you stay on the job too long after changes have been made, you could lose the right to claim you were constructively dismissed. Legal advice early on can help you make informed decisions.
When to Talk to an Employment Lawyer
If your job has changed dramatically, or the work environment has become unbearable and you feel like resigning is your only option, don’t assume you have to walk away empty-handed. Alberta law may entitle you to severance or compensation, even if you technically “quit.”
At JSB Employment Law, our Calgary employment lawyers focus on helping employees navigate the legal side of job loss. Whether you’re dealing with constructive dismissal, wrongful termination, or negotiating your severance, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Book a confidential consultation today. Let’s make sure your rights are protected and that you get the fair outcome you deserve.
