Since 2008, Courts have wrestled with wrongful dismissal claims in which employees make claims of entitlements to damages beyond reasonable notice.  One of these categories is punitive damages.  Punitive damage claims are usually found where there are allegations of bad faith or vindictive treatment.  Traditionally, such awards were handed out rarely, in cases viewed by the Courts as among the worst.  However, recently Courts have been more inclined to hand out these damages, and in increasing numbers.  A recent decision from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice is a prime example of this trend.