Severance Pay Misconceptions

Multiple factors are taken into account when calculating severance pay in Ontario. Your age, length of employment, position, annual income, bonus, benefits, and other components are considered when determining the correct amount of severance pay.

You are owed severance if you are let go without cause, meaning that you did not commit an act of serious misconduct. Most terminations are without cause.

If you have been terminated for cause, you may still be owed severance pay. Employers often incorrectly terminate employees “for cause” when in fact no serious misconduct has occurred, meaning severance pay is still owed. If you have been terminated with or without cause, you must contact us immediately to discuss your options for severance pay.

Deadlines on severance offers are meaningless! Your rights to full severance pay do not expire after 1, 3, 5 or 10 days. Find out how much you are really owed before accepting any offer.

Do NOT contact the Ministry of Labour. They can only advise you on the MINIMUM amount of severance you are owed, based on the Employment Standards Act. The Ministry of Labour cannot help you obtain your full severance pay.

NOTE: Once you file a claim with The Ministry of Labour, we cannot assist you in obtaining your full severance amount.

Short-service employees not only receive severance, but often significant amounts of severance.

Many independent contractors are actually EMPLOYEES, and owed full severance upon termination.

You have 2 years from the time your employment was deemed to have been terminated to start a claim.

Yes, you are still legally entitled to receive all Ontario bonus pay you earned when you are fired or lose your job. Your employer can’t withhold your bonus earnings – and we can help you get it when you are laid off.