My employer dismissed me “for cause” but refuses to specify the reason. Am I entitled to know the reasons for dismissal?

An employer who is asserting cause for dismissal bears the onus of proving cause for dismissal. So while there is no legal rule that they must state the reasons for dismissal, if the employee disputes that there is cause for his or her dismissal, the employer will need to justify and prove its position, including elaborating on the reasons for termination.

If an employer is unwilling or unable to justify that there is cause for dismissal, then the employer should be providing an appropriate severance package commensurate with the employee’s legal entitlements.

We often represent employees in cases where employers assert cause, even though no cause exists from a legal perspective. In most terminations, employees are entitled to an appropriate severance package. We highly recommend that if you are dismissed and the employer is asserting cause, that you obtain legal advice from an employment lawyer.