LF: Lawyer - Familiar w/Severance Pay

[The Fonz]

I have 1 question that I’m looking for an answer to, are there any lawyers on here who specialize in or are familiar with severance pay who’d be kind enough to tell me a yes or no?

PM would be preferred

Thanks

[bizaro86]

I have no answers for you, but can empathize with getting laid off. Sorry to hear that!

[Manhattanboy]

Of course would defer to employment lawyers but isn’t the general rule one month per year of service?

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

Of course would defer to employment lawyers but isn’t the general rule one month per year of service?

I’m in SK if that changes anything. I think law is 1 week per consecutive year of service.

[Torture]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

I’m in SK if that changes anything. I think law is 1 week per consecutive year of service.

That's the employment standards minimum. Severance packages can and usually should be significantly more. 3-4 weeks/yr of service is a good starting to point.

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

Of course would defer to employment lawyers but isn’t the general rule one month per year of service?

Originally Posted by Torture

That's the employment standards minimum. Severance packages can and usually should be significantly more. 3-4 weeks/yr of service is a good starting to point.

Depends on what industry you're in or even what segment. I've never seen more than 2 weeks/year on my side of the O&G world (service side).

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Lubicon

Depends on what industry you're in or even what segment. I've never seen more than 2 weeks/year on my side of the O&G world (service side).

Need to speak to a lawyer. Should be 4 weeks on the service side. I have gotten it and so have others. Some needed to fight a bit.

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Need to speak to a lawyer. Should be 4 weeks on the service side. I have gotten it and so have others. Some needed to fight a bit.

I should clarify, I've never been on the receiving side of severance, knock on wood. But I've never seen any of my employers (five in total) give nor have I had any acquaintances at other companies receive more than 2 weeks/year. Hopefully I'll never get to find out but good to know more is possible.

[photon]

I don't recall the lawyer since it was many years ago but my wife got a package and we checked with a lawyer and they said it can vary by industry and role, he suggested a number and helped us draw up a counter offer to what her company was offering. They accepted our counter offer.

[marsplasticeraser]

Not a Lawyer, but dealt with this from an office job perspective (I have no idea if trades or labour jobs are different).

Legal minimums are easy to research, however you should see what you've agreed to in your employment contract, as you may have agreed to something already.

Even if you've agreed to something in your contract, most companies give 3-4 weeks as suggested earlier in this thread.

If you have been offered the legal minimum, then the only way you get more is by taking your employers to court. Most companies will settle once they realize you've lawyered up. Some won't. It's hard to predict where a judge will settle, but our lawyers told us to expect 1 month to 2 months per year if it goes to trial.

Taking company to court effectively burns that bridge though, so consider if it's worth it.