fbpx

Labour & Employment Law Blog

Do Employees have an Obligation to Provide Employers with Adequate Notice of Resignation?

Zeilikman Law

Zeilikman Law

Case Summary

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice Decision in Gagnon & Associates Inc. et. al. v. Jesso et. al., 2016 ONSC 209

BACKGROUND

Gagnon & Associates Inc. (“GA”) owned by Pierre Gagnon (“Gagnon”) is a heating, ventilation and air conditioning business. Barry Jesso (“Jesso”) was hired in 1996 to oversee shipping, receiving and pricing. Jesso was quickly promoted to a full time salesperson in 1997. The employment relationship was governed by a verbal agreement. By 2006 sixty (60) percent of GA sales were attributable to Jesso and another GA employee. Jesso’s compensation at the time was twenty-five (25) percent commission on sales and a base salary for a totaling around $180,000 per year.

Jesso felt underpaid for his efforts comparatively to other salesman working in the industry. Gagnon and his wife Susan, who was in charge of the GA payroll felt Jesso was being overcompensated.  After negotiations over annual salary became hostile Jesso signed an employment contract with one of GA’s competitors. Jesso submitted his resignation with two (2) weeks’ notice conditional upon GA paying him $30,000 for outstanding commission. Gagnon did not acknowledge that there was any outstanding commission owed.  Jesso did not work for GA again; as such no notice of resignation was given. Jesso’s new competitive office saw many of GA’s client transfer their business to it.

GA brought an action against Jesso for insufficient notice of resignation, which resulted in GA’s loss of sales after preventing GA the time to implement an appropriate transition plan. GA also alleged that Jesso owed GA a duty of loyalty and good faith, which was breached when Jesso joined GA’s competitor. GA further claimed that Jesso improperly used confidential information to entice GA’s competitor to open a office in Sudbury. Jesso claimed that he was still owed the outstanding commission sought at the time of his resignation.

ISSUE

Among the relevant considerations relevant to this topic, the Court assessed the following issues:

  1. if Jesso resigned, did he fail to give adequate notice of resignation?
  2. what damages, if any, are due to GA?

ONTARIO SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE DECISION

Issue One

After finding that Jesso had resigned, the Court first noted that it is a well-established principle that an employee must give their employer reasonable notice of resignation of their employment. Jesso was determined to have effectively given no notice, despite his two (2) week offer. The purposed notice period by Jesso was never undertaken, as GA did not agree to the condition of paying Jesso $30,000.

To determine how much notice is appropriate, the Court explained that “[t]he notice required of an employee will be a function of that employee’s position with the employer and the time it would reasonably take the employer to replace the employee or otherwise take steps to adjust to the loss.”(para 39). The Court determined that given Jesso’s significant percentage in GA’s sales and the evidence presented that it would likely take until September 2006 to fill the experienced sales position. Further, the Court took note that Jesso knew that another senior salesperson was leaving GA, as such Jesso’s departure would put GA in a significantly difficult position. As such, the Court found that given the above circumstances the appropriate notice period was two (2) months.

Issue Two

In determining the damages resulting from Jesso’s failure to provide adequate notice of resignation the Court assessed the drop in sales that occurred at GA in the months following Jesso’s departure. The Court pro-rated the sales loss to find a monthly rate of loss and concluded that for the two (2) months notice, which would have been adequate, Jesso’s departure caused a loss of $35,164. This amount was owed to GA from Jesso.

OUR THOUGHTS

Although the situation in the above case is an example of a relatively rare action it is an important example of the liability an employee may be exposed to when resigning, if adequate notice is not given. A sudden resignation can expose an employee to liability of subsequent losses suffered by the employer as a result of the inadequate notice. The length of adequate notice will depend on the circumstances of the employment. It is advisable that an employee and employer should ensure that any employment contracts clearly specify any notice obligations and the consequence of failing to meet those obligations.

The above article is for general information purposes only, does not constitute legal advice or create a solicitor-client relationship. Because each case is unique and factually driven, if you have concerns with regard to the foregoing issues, please make an appointment with one of our lawyers or a qualified legal practitioner elsewhere. We represent clients in the Greater Toronto Area including Toronto, North York, Markham, Vaughan, Thornhill, Newmarket, Aurora, Brampton, Mississauga, Barrie, Ajax, Whitby, Pickering and Oshawa.

Legal Receptionist

Zeilikman Law is an employment law firm located in Vaughan, Ontario. We are looking to hire a legal receptionist to join our firm. Preference will be given to candidates who have experience working as a receptionist at another law firm.

Location: Vaughan, Ontario.

Start Date: Immediately.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. Full time. In-person only. This is not a remote work position.

Wages: 35,000 to 40,000 per year.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Manage our firm’s multi-line telephone system to receive incoming calls.  Screen incoming telephone call inquiries to determine the nature of the telephone call and provide standard information related to our legal services.  Take and deliver messages and route incoming telephone calls to the appropriate staff person.
  • Answer general inquiries coming from the firm’s social media and website email.
  • Welcome in-person visitors upon arrival.  Direct visitors to the appropriate staff person and / or office or boardroom.
  • Organize in-person visitor schedule to prevent overlap and multiple bookings.
  • Receive, sort, and distribute daily mail and deliveries.
  • Arrange for couriers.
  • Keep front reception, kitchenette area and boardroom tidy.
  • Perform various clerical duties such as filing, photocopying, and faxing on an as-needed basis.
  • Process client or other payments.
  • May be asked to run minor errands outside of office such as attending post office to arrange a courier or pick up mail.
  • May be asked to assist other law clerks or lawyers of the firm as required and as appropriate.
  • Any other basic administrative duties or tasks as deemed appropriate.

Required Skills:

  • Basic knowledge of general office procedures including filing, faxing, and printing and copying.
  • Basic word processing computer skills.
  • Proficient in receptionist and telephone practices, etiquette, and decorum.
  • Professional attitude and appearance.
  • Excellent organizational skills.
  • Positive customer service attitude is a must.
  • Must be able to maintain confidential and sensitive information.

Education and Experience:

  • Highschool diploma or equivalent.
  • 1 – 2 years’ experience in an office setting with an emphasis in accounting, reception or clerical work is required.   We would prefer experience in a law firm environment.

Applications for this position should be sent via email to jennifer@zeilikmanlaw.com. All applications should include a cover letter, resume and at least two references. Only successful candidates will be contacted.