Constructive dismissal occurs when you leave your job because your employer has significantly changed a fundamental term of your employment agreement without you having any say. Constructive dismissal can also exist where the work environment becomes so hostile that you feel you have to quit. Some examples of the fundamental terms of an employment agreement can include job description, salary, hours of work, or location of work. An example of a hostile work environment is where you are being sexually harassed or bullied and your employer is not doing anything about it even after you reported your concerns to them. Constructive dismissal does not exist where: your employer makes small or reasonable changes to your job. For example, your employer asks that you take on one task and stop doing another task that is still related to your role at the company; or you accept the changes your employer proposes. For example, everyone at the company agrees to a decrease in salary so that the company does not have to lay anybody off during tough financial times. Constructive dismissal claims can be difficult to prove. You should consult a lawyer if you think you have been constructively dismissed. Last Reviewed: August 2019