Add Comment Question: I am the original owner of William Tissert (since 2013). Under the guidance of my accountant, I closed my business in 2024 after assuming a large amount of debt resulting from the pandemic. My accountant’s spouse then opened a new business where we worked as partners (verbal 50/50 agreement) under the name of William Tissert Salon. Last month I informed my business partner that I was planning to move to the Niagara region over the coming months and that I would like either for her to either purchase my 50% of the business, or that we should sell the business and then split the proceeds. It is at that point when I was told by my accountant that my name was never registered and therefore his wife was the sole owner. His wife then proceeded to remove my title as co-owner from our social media platforms and to inform the staff and clients of the same. My questions are therefore to understand how to calculate the duration of my employment under the law. I did not receive any severance after my initial business was closed, nor did I sign an employment agreement for the new business. Am I therefore considered to have been employed since the start of the initial business in 2013, or does the fact that I owned the previous business imply that the initial business cannot be considered when establishing the duration of employment? And secondly, given that I was demoted from the position of co-owner, would that be sufficient grounds to seek a claim of constructive dismissal? The salon has become quite toxic since this commenced last month, and I am anxious to bring things to an end. Please advise on how best to proceed. I would be happy to meet with you to discuss further. Sincerely, William Answer: This is a very complex matter that will require a consultation to discuss. As the owner of a company, you are generally distinct from employees and have distinct rights. Whether your tenure carries over will depend, among other things, as to the nature of the agreement that you had when you became an employee. To arrange a consultation, please contact us at the number below. 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.