About 90% of us are employees or employers — generally,
even those who call themselves independent contractors and even
many partners are employees.
And it seems just about everyone has an opinion on employment
law — the number of self-designated experts roaming Canadians
offices can be staggering. Which is why anyone who is fired
invariably receives multiple opinions as to their
"rights," although most of them are wrong.
Let me dispel some of the more common errors:
1. Companies need not be fair
They can promote the weakest, terminate the strongest and treat
employees badly for no apparent reason. At the extreme, harsh
treatment can become a constructive dismissal. But sheer unfairness
provides an employee no rights at all. Recently, on my CFRB show,
there was widespread disbelief at my statement employers could hire
receptionists based on looks. Even in the job market, studies have
shown that better looking people and taller people fare better. It
isn't
