Does my employer have to give me the reason for my dismissal?

Generally speaking, an employer does not have to provide a reason when dismissing a non-union employee without cause.

Very often, an employer will advise an employee that they are being terminated “without cause”, and without elaborating any further.

While you may want to know the exact reasons for dismissal, there is no law that requires that they spell out the specific reasons for a without cause dismissal.

Whether you are federally regulated or not, if you are concerned about the lawfulness of your dismissal, the reasons for your dismissal, or if you question the employer’s explanation for your dismissal, you still have options. There may be a variety of ways to obtain the reasons for dismissal, either through a court proceeding or through a negotiated process.

Federally regulated employees who are subject to the Canada Labour Code and who have at least 12 months of consecutive service, are entitled to be provided with a written reason for dismissal upon request. Federally regulated employees include those working in telecom., banking, railways, cable and broadcasting industries.