Calgary Employment Case Studies

We resolved a wrongful dismissal case for a #Calgary employee for additional damages to our client well into the six-figures. We did so by attacking the validity of a contractual termination provision that would have limited our client’s severance entitlement to a specified amount far below what the common law provided. In successfully arguing that the contractual termination provision violated the Alberta Employment Standards Code, our client’s severance entitlement more than doubled overnight (emphasis on “overnight”).

Employees should be aware that where a contractual termination provision contained in their employment agreement violates the minimum protections under the Alberta Employment Standards Code, common law reasonable notice will generally apply, which is typically worth much more to the employee. The implied term of common law reasonable notice can only be rebutted by clear and unambiguous language to limit or replace this right, AND only if it complies with minimum statutory employment standards.

A costly six-figure drafting mistake by the employer.

Always seek legal advice. The above is for information purposes only.

Stephen Dugandzic received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Alberta in 2013 and is Calgary-based. He previously practised with Bennett Jones LLP and Taylor Janis LLP before founding YYC Employment Law Group in 2018 and Evolution Legal in 2026.