What is the burden of proof on an employer who is pleading just cause for termination?

British Columbia, Canada


The following excerpt is from Wilson v. Cornwall Publishing Co. Ltd., 1997 CanLII 3232 (BC SC):

In the course of submissions, counsel for the plaintiff referred to authorities such as Elms v. Hywel Jones Architect Ltd., [1997] B.C.D. Civ. 315.90.50.30-02 on the issue as to the burden of proof on an employer who is pleading just cause for termination when that just cause may involve conduct approaching criminal in nature. It is clear that at this stage of the development in the law of Canada there are two burdens of proof: one in the criminal context of proof beyond a reasonable doubt and the second, in the civil context of proof on a balance of probabilities, or sometimes expressed as proof by a preponderance of evidence. In my view, there is no intermediate burden of proof where an individual is claiming that the conduct of a dismissed employee amounts to a criminal offence. What is required, however, is clear, cogent and compelling evidence of the existence of the conduct complained of which allows the tribunal of fact to say with confidence that the employer's allegation has been established on a balance of probabilities or by a preponderance of evidence.

Other Questions


What is the test for determining whether an employer can sue an employee for damages for personal injury caused to the employer's vehicle? (British Columbia, Canada)
Can an employer be found to have breached its employment contract with a plaintiff by causing her mental distress? (British Columbia, Canada)
What is the burden of just cause for a plaintiff to terminate a defendant employee? (British Columbia, Canada)
Is the sale of a business causing the termination of an employment contract? (British Columbia, Canada)
What is the burden of proving just cause for dismissal against an employer? (British Columbia, Canada)
What is the burden of just cause for a plaintiff to be terminated? (British Columbia, Canada)
What is the burden of proof against a self-employed professional who is seeking to impute income to the other party? (British Columbia, Canada)
Can knowledge of a cause of cause be used as grounds for cause of dismissal? (British Columbia, Canada)
If an employer loses trust in an employee as a result of an employer's orders, in the matter of substance being willfully disobeyed and met with insubordination, can an employer dismiss the employee? (British Columbia, Canada)
Does the valuation date in cases involving termination of a shareholder's employment should be the termination date? (British Columbia, Canada)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.