As recently highlighted in various publications including the
Toronto Star, there has unfortunately been an increasing amount of
layoffs recently in the tech sector.
In times like these, it is essential for employers and employees
to understand their rights (and obligations).
Recent layoff have not been confined to startups feeling the
pinch of venture capital drying up, but also affects established
tech giants streamlining their operations (including here in the
Lower Mainland). Regardless of the reasons behind these layoffs,
the impact of a layoff or termination on employees can be
significant and often stressful.
One key aspect to understand is that although they're used
interchangeably colloquially, "layoff" and
"termination" mean two separate things from a legal
standpoint. A "layoff" as in a "temporary
layoff" is a situation where an employee is told to not report
to work for a period of time due to a shortage of
work. A "termination" on the other hand,
