It may be expected that any employee who resigns from their job and then later returns to the same employer will find that their ‘term of service’ is affected. It is unlikely that someone who had worked with a company for 5 years, left for two and then came back, would be entitled to pick up where they left off. However, what would happen in a situation where a long-term employee submits a resignation, and while still employed by the company, wishes to resume their employment?
A recent decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal has come down on the side of the employer in this situation, holding that the resignation must be taken into consideration, therefore creating an interrupted period of employment. This, in turn, affected the reasonable notice the employee was entitled to upon her eventual termination.
Facts of the Case
The respondent employee was a dental hygienist who had been employed with the appellant employer since 1993. In 2005, she decided to move to a new city with her fiance, and find work elsewhere. She submitted her resignation, which was accepted by her employer. While still working at the practice during the notice period, her relationship came to an end and she requested to be reinstated, as she would no longer be moving. Her employer agreed, and the employee signed a new contract of employment. The contract indicated that should she ever be terminated, she would only be entitled to the minimum notice set out in the Employment Standards Act.
Seven years later, the employee was terminated without cause. At the time of her termination, she was provided with notice pay equivalent to one week of employment. The employee brought an action for wrongful dismissal.
The Lower Court Decision
The Superior Court of Justice found that there was insufficient consideration to support the contract limiting the employee’s common law entitlement to reasonable notice. As a result, the court held that the employee had been wrongfully terminated. Further, it was determined that her damages would be based on the full period she was employed, disregarding the brief period during which she had resigned. She was awarded damages equivalent to 15 months’ notice, totalling $71,650.02.
The Appeal
The employer appealed the decision. The Court of Appeal found that there was valid conisderation to uphold the employment contract signed in 2005. The court further disagreed with the finding regarding the period of employment. The court held:
We agree with the appellant’s submissions that Ms. Theberge-Lindsay’s unequivocal resignation and re-hiring in 2005 marked a break in the employment relationship after which an entirely new contract was reached between her and Dr. Kutcher. There was consideration for that new employment contract, that is, Ms. Theberge-Lindsay’s offer to again be employed by Dr. Kutcher and his acceptance of her offer to again employ her. On this basis, the Employment Standards Act, 2000 minimum notice is the maximum amount to which the respondent is entitled, measured from 2005. On this basis, she is entitled to 7.5 weeks of salary at $1,204 per week, less $1,200 severance already paid.
It remains to be seen whether this decision will be appealed any further, but for now, it appears that a resignation, even a situation in which there is no actual break in the employment, will be found to ‘restart the clock’ with respect to an employee’s term of service.
At Baker & Company, we take the time to meet with you and understand your unique needs in order to offer solutions to the diverse problems you may encounter in the workplace. The highly skilled Toronto employment lawyers at Baker & Company will review and draft employment agreements and advise on termination packages in order to protect employers from future litigation. We also provide practical and effective representation for employees faced with wrongful dismissal by their employer. We rely on our broad base of experience and expertise to provide clear, pragmatic legal advice, and representation in litigation. Call us at 416-777-0100 or contact us online for a consultation.
