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Employment Law Services

Employment Law Services From The Heart With Proven Results From Empathy to Success

Elevate Your Career, Reduce Stress, and Conquer Workplace Challenges with Expert Legal Guidance

Our Founder & Owner

Founder & Owner

Stephanie McDonald

Stephanie McDonald is neurodivergent, a proud member of the 2SLGBTGIA+community, and her passion is to help employees navigate their careers with grace, confidence, and strength.

After receiving first-class legal training from leading plaintiff side firms, Stephanie started her own practice to serve clients more authentically and gain control over her practice.

Stephanie prides herself on not just executing effective legal strategies and making her clients a lot of money, but also leading her clients through the process with encouragement, connection and compassion.

Our Services

For Employees

For Employers

Litigation

At Workplace Sage Legal, we provide human-first and trauma-informed employment law services from the heart

What does Human-First and Trauma-Informed mean to us?

We know that consulting and retaining a lawyer to manage a workplace conflict can be stressful and uncomfortable; so we do everything we can to make the process easy, lighthearted, and safe.

We run a human-first and trauma-informed practice through:

1. Empathetic Support & Informed Choices

2. Safety

3. Respect for Boundaries

4. Ongoing Education

5. Accommodations

Empathetic Support & Informed Choices

At Workplace Sage Legal, we empower my clients to make choices that align with their values, preferences, and priorities. We pay attention to our clients' needs and feelings while maintaining a cool, calm, and composure to guide them to meeting those needs.

We provide validation, positive feedback, and encouragement to support our clients through the legal process and toward their career goals.

We break down complex concepts into clear terms, and give clients all the information needed to make an informed decision.

Safety

At Workplace Sage Legal, we provide a safe, friendly, and confidential environment for clients to obtain advice without fear.

We maintain a non-judgmental attitude as we sit and actively listen with empathy and care.

We build and maintain trust by giving clients an accurate estimate of the likelihood of success, providing a clear picture of the nature of the legal process, and carefully following through on client instructions.

Ongoing Education

We are committed to continuing to learn about trauma from qualified individuals.

We are committed to fostering a safe environment that clients feel comfortable providing honest and candid feedback about.

We are committed to seeking out feedback and responding without defensiveness, judgment, or blame.

Accommodations

We are extremely open to accommodating our clients in any way they see fit, big or small. We are also happy to work with clients to come up with a plan that will assist in improving their access to legal services.

Our goal is to ensure that the clients who would like to access our services are able to do so with minimal effort.

If you have any accommodation requests, please do not hesitate to bring them to our attention.

Our Practice Areas

Employment Law
for Employees

Negotiating severance packages for constructive dismissal and wrongful dismissal
Reviewing offers of employment
Disputing "just cause" allegations
Building a case for constructive dismissa
Responding to allegations of workplace misconduct
Requesting and managing a medical leave of absence

Employment Law
for Employers

Drafting employment contracts and independent contractor agreements
Drafting workplace policies
Coaching on best practices for a healthy and happy workplace
Completing workplace assessments to identify discord and improve workplace culture
Implementing progressive discipline for misconduct and poor performance

Litigation

Representation of employees in litigation to seek
compensation for:
Wrongful dismissal
Constructive dismissal
Breach of the duty of good faith
Breach of contract
Discrimination and failure to accommodate

Toronto Lawyer Committed
to Delivering Incredible Results

Hiring an employment lawyer can help you elevate your career, reduce stress, conquer workplace challenges and obtain a fair severance package if you lose your job.

Elevate your Career

Having a lawyer on your side can help elevate your career by arming you with a strong understanding of your rights, negotiating favourable employment terms, advocating on your behalf, and assisting you as you navigate your career development.

Reduce Stress

Having someone on your team who knows you, understands your job, and knows the mechanisms by which your rights and interests can be enforced can reduce stress and give you peace of mind.

Conquer Workplace Challenges

Workplace challenges and conflicts are stressful. We can help you work through workplace challenges with dignity, tenacity, and integrity.

Obtain a Fair Severance Package

Most first severance offers provided to employees on termination have significant room for improvement and negotiation. While most employers try to pay terminated employees only their minimum entitlements, most employees in Ontario are entitled to reasonable notice of the termination of their employment.

News & Updates From The Workplace Sage Legal Blog

Two colleagues in business attire wearing masks, discussing work over laptops and coffee in a workplace setting.

Legal Guidance for Employees Terminated During or After Medical Leave

Introduction: Navigating the complexities of termination during or after a medical leave is a sensitive and critical issue. Employees on medical leave are often in a vulnerable position, and wrongful termination during this period can have severe emotional and financial consequences. Workplace Sage Legal is dedicated to providing expert legal

Senior executive in a business suit shaking hands with a colleague in a meeting, with two other professionals looking on.

Key Legal Protections for High-Earning Employees in Ontario: An Overview

Introduction: High-earning employees often occupy pivotal positions in their organizations, wielding significant influence and responsibilities. Despite their stature, they are not immune to disputes over employment rights and terminations. Understanding the legal protections specifically available to high-earning employees in Ontario is crucial for safeguarding their interests. Workplace Sage Legal is

Thoughtful businessman holding a pencil, attending a meeting with colleagues in a workplace setting.

How to Respond to Wrongful Termination: Essential Steps for a Legal Challenge

Introduction: Facing termination from your job can be an overwhelming experience, especially if the dismissal is unjust or illegal. Understanding your rights and the steps to challenge a wrongful termination is crucial in protecting your employment rights and seeking appropriate remedies. Workplace Sage Legal is committed to supporting you through

Stay Informed With The Workplace Confidential Podcast

Join Stephanie McDonald in Workplace Confidential, a podcast designed to help employees navigate the complexities of the modern workplace. Each episode delivers expert advice on career growth, employee rights, financial empowerment, and work-life balance. Check out our latest episode below!

Lost your job? Here’s what you need to know (before you sign anything!) – Episode 01

Losing your job can feel overwhelming—but before you sign anything or accept what your employer tells you, you need to know your rights. In this episode, I break down what you’re entitled to when you’re terminated, how to negotiate your severance, and the biggest mistakes to avoid. Whether you’ve been fired, or laid off, I’ll walk you through the legal basics so you can move forward with confidence. 💼 Topics we’ll cover:✔️ How to tell if your severance offer is fair✔️ What to do (and NOT do) after getting fired✔️ Common employer tactics—and how to push back✔️ When to get legal advice and what to expect If you or someone you know has been let go, this episode is a must-listen. Your rights matter—let’s make sure you get what you deserve. #EmploymentLawinOntario #EmploymentLawyer #EmployeeRights #WorkplaceRights #Severance #WrongfulDismissal Youtube: Workplace ConfidentialEmail me: [email protected]: / workplacesageTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@workplacesageLinkedIn: / stephanie-o-mcdonald