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 deeply committed to helping employees navigate their careers with grace, confidence, and strength; especially during difficult moments like after a termination, while on medical or stress leave, or before signing a severance package.

After receiving first-class legal training at leading plaintiff-side firms, Stephanie chose to start her own practice so she could serve employees across Ontario and all of Canada in a more authentic, values-aligned way, without the constraints that often come with traditional firm models.

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 dismissal
Responding to allegations of workplace misconduct
Requesting and managing a medical leave of absence

Litigation for Employees

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 an employment lawyer on your side can support your career at many stages; whether you are negotiating a new role, managing changes at work, or responding to a termination. By helping you understand your rights under Ontario employment law, advocating on your behalf, and negotiating fair employment terms, legal support can bring clarity and confidence to decisions that often feel overwhelming.

Reduce Stress

Working with a lawyer who takes the time to understand you, your role, and your workplace can significantly reduce stress. When you know how your rights can be enforced, and what options are realistically available to you, you are better positioned to make informed choices and move forward with peace of mind, even during periods of uncertainty such as a medical or stress leave.

Conquer Workplace Challenges

Workplace challenges and conflicts are inherently stressful, particularly when your livelihood or well-being feels at stake. We support employees through these moments with dignity, tenacity, and integrity, whether the issue involves ongoing workplace tension, a sudden change in duties, or concerns about how an employer is treating you.

Obtain a Fair Severance Package

This is especially true when it comes to termination and severance. Most initial severance offers presented after termination leave significant room for improvement. While employers often aim to limit severance to minimum statutory amounts, many employees in Ontario are legally entitled to reasonable notice under the common law.

News & Updates From The Workplace Sage Legal Blog

Animated illustration of employees confidently negotiating a severance package

Termination Without Cause in Ontario: Why Employers Often Say Less

Terminated without cause in Ontario? Learn how ESA minimums differ from common law notice. Know your rights before you sign.

Illustration of stacked employment contracts with a warning symbol highlighting a termination clause.

Understanding Termination Clauses

A termination clause can limit your severance, but many are unenforceable. Learn how termination clauses work and why advice matters.

Animated illustration of a person standing in a doorway as colourful light pours out, symbolizing speaking up at work.

Speaking Up Without Fear: Reprisal at Work

Workplace reprisal occurs when an employer punishes you for asserting your legal rights. Learn how reprisal works in Ontario and what to do.

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!

Workplace Confidential podcast artwork featuring Stephanie McDonald, host and founder of Workplace Sage Legal.

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