Skip to content
Taylor Janis Logo White
  • For EmployeesExpand
    • TerminationExpand
      • Termination Without Cause
      • Just Cause Termination
      • Termination Notice
      • Terminations & Resignations
      • Resignation vs Termination
      • Termination Without Cause Vs Wrongful Dismissals
    • Severance PayExpand
      • Severance Package Reviews
      • Reasonable Notice (Severance)
    • Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination
    • Wrongful Dismissal
    • Constructive Dismissal
    • Unionized Employees
    • Government Workers
    • Workers on Contract
    • Employment Agreements
    • Temporary Layoffs
    • Non-Competition & Non-Solicitation Disputes
    • Restrictive Covenants
    • Professional Disciplinary Hearings
    • COVID-19 Legal Resources
    • Fees
  • For EmployersExpand
    • Employment Contracts
    • Workplace Policies
    • Employment Litigation
    • Executive Employees
    • Shareholder Disputes
    • Labour Lawyers
    • Employee Immigration
    • Third Party Insurance Claims
    • Human Rights Policies for Employers
    • Workplace Training & Seminars
    • Fees
  • Locations & TeamExpand
    • Meet Your Team
    • Locations
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Press
  • Knowledge CentreExpand
    • Alberta Employment Law
    • BC Employment Law
    • Employment Law Info
    • Severance Pay Deep Dive
    • Termination Tips
    • Wrongful Dismissal Help
    • Vancouver Articles
    • Calgary Articles
    • Edmonton Articles
    • Red Deer Articles
    • Kamloops Articles
Taylor Janis Logo White

What to Do (and Not Do) After You Have Been Fired in Alberta

Hours Updated onApril 20, 2023 Categories AB
After You Have Been Fired in Alberta

Job loss can be devastating. Perhaps you have lost more than just a pay-cheque; you may feel as though you’ve lost friends, a sense of position and purpose in the world. Unfortunately, almost everyone will experience job-loss at one time or another.

It’s important to have a guide for the “dos and don’ts” of your final day(s) at work and the weeks that follow.

Remembering these ground rules will help you make the best of a difficult time.

During the Termination Meeting

Don’t

Don’t argue with or become hostile to the individual who is communicating your dismissal. The decision has been made; and often, not by the person communicating it to you. Moreover, it’s very uncommon to be able to talk your way back into job. Becoming argumentative will not help.

If you lose your cool, your conduct after dismissal (or post-termination conduct) might be used by your former employer to build or to bolster a case to terminate your employment for just cause.

Remember that anyone who is terminated for just cause is generally not entitled to severance. While the company may have been about to offer you a severance package, if you decide to take your anger out on the copying machine, that severance package will very likely be withdrawn.

Short of an emotional outburst giving the company reason to change your dismissal to a ‘for cause’ dismissal, it will almost certainly make them less willing to negotiate your severance in good faith.

Lastly, never sign a Release during a termination meeting. The shock of job loss will affect your ability to properly consider what is at stake. Always take an offer of severance and release to an employment lawyer for review.

Get Employment Law help in Alberta & BC - Click Here

Do

Be polite, take notes on what is said if you are permitted, and insist on your right to take the time you need to consider the offer and consult with a lawyer. It is no time to make a rushed or poorly informed decision.

If you do not have a copy of your employment contract, ask for a copy at your termination meeting. It is an essential document that your employment lawyer will want to review with you.

Related: Termination without Cause in Alberta

After the Dismissal From Your Job

Don’t

As tempting as it may be, refrain from bad-mouthing your former employers, whether in person or on social media. It may have cathartic value, but it will more than likely only serve to burn bridges.

If your former employer finds out, it could hinder any severance negotiation that may be ongoing, or even give them the basis for litigation against you.

Do

Ensure that your former employer has paid your final wages, any outstanding but unpaid overtime, and any accrued but untaken vacation pay.

This should be paid right away – if it has not, the first thing you should do is contact them and politely request it. If you think your employer is withholding payment from you, you should contact an employment lawyer right away.

Related: Wrongful dismissal from your job in Alberta
Related: Termination from your job without cause VS wrongful dismissal

Get Employment Law help in Alberta & BC - Click Here

During Your Job Search in Alberta

Don’t

Sign an employment contract without carefully reviewing it first. Pay for it to be reviewed by a lawyer. Like many areas of law, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Do

Review very carefully and employment contact you are given. Many employment contacts have clauses limiting your entitlement to severance upon dismissal.

These can have a massive impact on your financial future if you are dismissed. Review our contract carefully. In our view, all employment contracts should be reviewed by an employment lawyer.

They set out the terms for earning your livelihood, and frequently what severance you will be paid should the employer terminate you.

For a further discussion of termination clauses, please see read our article entitled “Limitation Clauses – Keep your contract!”.

Taylor Janis AB Map

We currently have three offices across Alberta — Edmonton, Calgary, and Red Deer. We serve the entire province of Alberta (and BC). We also have the infrastructure to work with any of our clients virtually — even the furthest regions of Alberta.

Call 1 (844) 224-0222 (toll free) to get routed to the best office for you or contact us online for general inquiries.

We also have a dedicated intake form to help you get the ball rolling. Our intake team will review your specific case and advise you on the next steps to take as well as what to expect moving forward.

Our offices are generally open 8:30 a.m.—4:30 p.m., Mon—Fri.

Taylor Janis EndStamp
Heather Tyminski - Taylor Janis Employment Law

Heather Tyminski

WORKPLACE LAWYER

Heather is an associate practicing in the area of employment law. She takes a client-centered approach to enable her clients to make informed decisions. She has advised employers and employees on all aspects of the employment relationship, from the initial hiring stages up to termination.

  • Learn More About Heather
End Block Form

Our intake staff are standing by.

Let's have one of our experienced lawyers review your case.We Can Help
Tell us a bit about your problem — we can fix it.

More Details

PRIVACY NOTICE:  Any information you provide to our office — whether your personal information or employment/employer details — will be treated as strictly confidential and will not be disclosed to your employer or to any other third party. So, please be reassured that you can talk openly to our capable Intake Paralegals worry free. Fill out an Online Inquiry or call us now, your information will be in safe and helping hands.

The Legal Review Process by Taylor Janis Workplace Law

  • Taylor Janis strives for high-quality, legally verified content.
  • Content is meticulously researched and reviewed by our legal writers/proofers.
  • Details are sourced from trusted legal sources like the Employment Standards Code.
  • Each article is edited for accuracy, clarity, and relevance.
  • If you find any incorrect information or discrepancies in legal facts, we kindly ask that you contact us with a correction to ensure accuracy.

Termination Review

If you have been terminated UNDER ANY circumstances

DO NOT SIGN A RELEASE

Talk to us first.
We will review your situation.

Employers often fail to provide the proper severance compensation.

In almost every case, we will obtain a significantly better outcome for our clients — in a timely manner.

Start The Process Here

Recent Posts

  • Severance and Hudson’s Bay Bankruptcy Layoffs: Legal TipsMay 7, 2025
  • JOB LOSS: Cenovus Energy Cuts Jobs Ahead of Critical Q1 EarningsMay 7, 2025
  • Executive Compensation and Post-Employment IncentivesApril 11, 2025

Flexible Fee Arrangements

BEWARE of firms that push for contingency arrangements

IE: working for "no money up front"

This may NOT be beneficial for you. In some cases it may be much better for you pay hourly for an action with high monetary return — keeping much more in your pocket.

If it's free YOU could be the product! At Taylor Janis we give you the CHOICE.

Law Society of Alberta
The Canadian Bar Association
Law Society of British Columbia
Three Best Rated Award
Manage HR Top Employment Law Services Award
Best Rated Badge Taylor Janis llp
Calgary Best Rated Badge
Never Sign a Release When Terminated
Join Taylor Janis!

We're looking for highly motivated associates to join our busy team.
Taylor Janis offers competitive compensation and a spirited corporate culture.

Click Here for more info
EDMONTON

Suite 400, 10216 124 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5N 4A3
Local: (780) 428-7770
Toll-Free: 1 (844) 224-0222

CALGARY

Suite 700, 396 11 Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta T2R 0C5
Local: (403) 474-0411
Toll-Free: 1 (844) 521-1715

RED DEER

Suite 203, 4807 50 Avenue, Red Deer, Alberta T4N 4A5
Local: (587) 333-4399

VANCOUVER

Suite 603A, 134 Abbott Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 2K4
Local: (604) 423-2646
Toll-Free: 1 (877) 402-1002

KAMLOOPS

Unit 2, 293 1st Ave, Kamloops, BC V2C 3J3
Local: (604) 423-2646
Toll-Free: 1 (877) 402-1002

MORE

Contact Us
Payments
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
Disclaimer



© 2025 Taylor Janis Workplace Law - Taylor Janis LLP Sitemap

Facebook Linkedin Instagram

Do you have a workplace/employment issue that requires assistance?

Our workplace-focused paralegals are standing by to assist you.

Get Help Here
  • For Employees
    • Termination
      • Termination Without Cause
      • Just Cause Termination
      • Termination Notice
      • Terminations & Resignations
      • Resignation vs Termination
      • Termination Without Cause Vs Wrongful Dismissals
    • Severance Pay
      • Severance Package Reviews
      • Reasonable Notice (Severance)
    • Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination
    • Wrongful Dismissal
    • Constructive Dismissal
    • Unionized Employees
    • Government Workers
    • Workers on Contract
    • Employment Agreements
    • Temporary Layoffs
    • Non-Competition & Non-Solicitation Disputes
    • Restrictive Covenants
    • Professional Disciplinary Hearings
    • COVID-19 Legal Resources
    • Fees
  • For Employers
    • Employment Contracts
    • Workplace Policies
    • Employment Litigation
    • Executive Employees
    • Shareholder Disputes
    • Labour Lawyers
    • Employee Immigration
    • Third Party Insurance Claims
    • Human Rights Policies for Employers
    • Workplace Training & Seminars
    • Fees
  • Locations & Team
    • Meet Your Team
    • Locations
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Press
  • Knowledge Centre
    • Alberta Employment Law
    • BC Employment Law
    • Employment Law Info
    • Severance Pay Deep Dive
    • Termination Tips
    • Wrongful Dismissal Help
    • Vancouver Articles
    • Calgary Articles
    • Edmonton Articles
    • Red Deer Articles
    • Kamloops Articles