Were You Let Go? Here’s What You Need to Know
It’s been a challenging few years for many Albertans (and the entire world). The economic climate has led to thousands of people in our province being “let go” as a result of cost cuts, restructuring, business closure, and more.
Understanding Your Rights After Termination
In Alberta, if you were terminated without cause, there are laws in place to help protect you. While employers can legally terminate an employee at any time, they must follow the rules of the Employment Standards Code and provide severance where required.
If You Were Employed for More Than 90 Days…
Your employer must give you notice of termination or pay in lieu of the time you would have worked. Depending on how long you were employed, the legal minimums (more on this later) could range from 1 to 8 weeks.
Most employers opt to pay you the money you would have earned during the notice period instead of having you continue working. This is generally known as “termination pay,” which can allow you to transition out of your role without returning to work.
You May Be Entitled to More Than the Legal Minimums
In addition to notice or termination pay, you may be eligible for severance pay. The amount depends on several key factors, including:
- Your age
- Your title or role
- The length of time you were employed
- The reason for your termination
- How you were let go
- The nature of your work (e.g., is it a specialized field?)
- The employment market
Your severance payout also depends on benefits, yearly bonuses, incentive programs, profit-sharing, commissions, and more.
A Lawyer Can Help With Severance Reviews, Negotiations & More
Litco Law has helped many Albertans recover the compensation they deserve through severance negotiations or claims. It won’t cost you anything to speak to a lawyer. We’ll review your employment history and determine what you may be legally entitled to.
Free Legal Answers—Always
Have questions about your termination, severance package, or employment rights? We’re here to help. Contact us to speak with a member of our legal team today.
We’ll take care of the legal work while you focus on getting back to work.
