constructive dismissal

Definition

When an employer makes working conditions so intolerable that an employee is forced to resign, legally equivalent to being fired. The 'I'm not touching you' of employment law.

Example Usage

After they reassigned me to a windowless basement office and removed all my responsibilities, the lawyer said I had a strong constructive dismissal case.

Origin

Legal concept developed in employment law during the mid-20th century to address indirect termination tactics

Fun Fact

Proving constructive dismissal requires showing conditions were objectively intolerable and that a reasonable person would resign—simply being unhappy or having a terrible boss usually isn't enough.

Source: Employment law and wrongful termination jurisprudence

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