Add Comment Question: Can I let an employee go that is planning on opening same store concept as mine within 15km radius in eastern ontario? And her common law spouse is speaking negatively about me and my business at his place of employment? Is that breach of trust? Answer: Thank you for contacting our firm. You do have the option of terminating the employee on a without cause basis, but you would be required to provide proper notice or pay in lieu thereof. If you attempt to terminate the employee for cause (i.e. without any notice or pay in lieu) be advised that cause terminations are a high bar for employers to meet. The appropriate action will depend on a number of factors, including the presence of any non-compete clause within an employment agreement, as well as company policies relating to conflicts of interest, and warnings given to the employee to cease the activity. In regards to the common law spouse of the employee speaking negatively about you and your business, that is not something you will be able to hold the employee accountable for. Your Comment * Your Email * Your Name * Your City Note, your name, city and email is not displayed on the website. It is used to notify you that we have approved your comment.