Every month, Kate Teves, HR consultant, recruiter and founder of The HR Pro, answers Realtors’ questions about anything and everything related to human resources. Have a question for Kate? Send her an email.

Question: I need to terminate a seasoned employee. How do I do this without getting sued?

Kate: Terminating an employee is never easy—unless you enjoy awkward conversations, legal jargon and the possibility of a lawsuit. I prefer a shorter and to-the-point approach myself and can attest that it is the least favourite part of my role as an HR consultant and formally an HR manager.

For real estate brokerages, where relationships, agent/staff retention, and competition stakes are incredibly high, handling terminations properly isn’t just about following the law, it’s about protecting your business, your reputation and most importantly—your sanity.

“A reputation once broken may possibly be repaired, but the world will always keep their eyes on the spot where the crack was.” — Joseph Hall

Here’s what you need to know when letting an employee go in Ontario, from non-competition clauses and non-solicitation agreements to termination pay and avoiding contract pitfalls.

Know the rules before you make the call

Ontario employment law isn’t a “choose your own adventure” book—it’s a clear set of rules that every employer must follow. If you don’t, you could be in for costly surprises, even when you think you’re doing everything right. Remember that a former employee has two...

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