Can independent contractors claim damages for constructive dismissal? In a decision released March 7, 2018 by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Barresi v Jones Lang LaSalle Real Estate Services, Inc., 2018 ONSC 837, the answer to that question was essentially yes.

Facts

The case concerned a commercial real estate broker, Barresi, who was retained as an independent contractor by the defendant Jones Lang LaSalle Real Estate Services, Inc. (“JLL”). There was no debate as between the parties that Barresi was to be an independent contractor to JLL, notwithstanding the facts that Barresi was expressly authorized to hold himself out as a Vice President of JLL and the Local Practice Lead in the Ottawa area.

Barresi was an experienced and accomplished real estate broker, having practised for over 25 years in the area of commercial and residential real estate. For most of his career, Barresi has been associated … Continue reading “Claiming constructive dismissal as an independent contractor”