It’s always hard to lose your job, but a wrongful dismissal can feel like a significant injustice. In Alberta, many employees are terminated without adequate notice or fair severance. This often occurs because workers do not fully understand their rights under provincial law, and employers may act quickly, expecting workers to just go along.
This is where skilled labour lawyers in Alberta are essential. If you have been wrongfully dismissed in Alberta, getting legal help can be the difference between leaving with nothing and receiving the full compensation you are entitled to under the law.
1. What Is Considered Wrongful Dismissal in Alberta?
An employer wrongfully dismisses an employee when they terminate the relationship without providing adequate notice or pay instead of notice, except in specific cases of “just cause.” In Alberta, non-unionized workers enjoy extensive rights under employment law that often exceed the bare minimums set by the Employment Standards Code.
Common examples of wrongful dismissal include receiving inadequate severance benefits, being terminated after years of service with very little pay, or being fired in retaliation for illness or workplace disputes. Labour lawyers evaluate these cases by looking at “Common Law” rights, which typically entitle workers to much higher compensation than the provincial minimums.
2. “Without Cause” Doesn’t Mean “Without Consequences.”
Many employers mistakenly believe they can terminate an employee “without cause” simply by providing the minimum notice required by the Employment Standards Code. This is a very expensive mistake. Employers can fire people without cause, but they have to pay them a fair amount based on things like their age, position, length of service, and the availability of similar jobs.
Experienced labour lawyers often encounter cases where severance packages are much lower than what employees are legally owed. In fact, as of 2026, Alberta courts have begun awarding notice periods as high as 26 months for long-serving employees in exceptional circumstances—effectively breaking the traditional 24-month “cap.” If you were fired without cause, the “wrong” isn’t necessarily the termination itself, but the failure to provide the full compensation you are owed.
3. Why Timing Is Important After Termination
Most people don’t know how important what you do right after being fired is. If you sign a severance agreement too quickly, you may lose your ability to seek more money, even if the offer is unreasonable.
If you believe you were wrongfully dismissed, you should talk to a lawyer before signing anything. Labour lawyers are highly experienced in reviewing termination packages, finding legal gaps, and negotiating better results. Hasty choices can make strong cases weaker.
4. How Labour Lawyers Build a Strong Claim
A successful wrongful dismissal claim in Alberta is built on a foundation of evidence and a precise legal strategy. Labout lawyers look at things like termination letters, employment contracts, company policies, and performance reviews. These records are often used to refute an employer’s attempt to claim “just cause” or to prove that an employee’s contributions warranted a much higher notice period.
Skilled lawyers also look into whether the firing involved bad faith conduct, such as discrimination, retribution, or constructive dismissal. In Alberta, if a dismissal is handled unfairly or callously, it can greatly raise the amount of money you receive.
5. Beyond Base Pay: What Does “Total Compensation” Include?
A lot of workers think that severance means a few weeks’ salary. In Alberta, compensation for wrongful dismissal might include months or even years of income, perks, bonuses, commissions, pension or RRSP contributions, and health benefits.
The Difference Is Legal Protection
Cases of wrongful dismissal in Alberta are not always clear-cut, and many employers rely on the assumption that staff will not question a low-ball offer. As a result, many professionals accept settlements thousands of dollars below what they are entitled.
If you believe you were wrongfully fired in Alberta, the first thing you should do is talk to experienced labour lawyers. Professional legal counsel ensures your future and your income are protected, preventing a hasty decision from becoming a permanent financial loss.
