Area of Law: Employment Law
Answer # 604
Severance pay
Region: Ontario Answer # 604What is severance pay?
Severance pay is an additional amount of money paid to some employees who are fired or laid off without good legal reason. It is usually paid to a long-term employee to recognize their services and compensate them for certain losses, such as seniority, when that employee loses his or her job. It is not the same as termination pay, which is pay given instead of the required notice of termination.
Whether you have been fired or are away from work for an extended period, for reasons such as maternity leave or illness, it is important to know your rights and responsibilities. To get help, ask a lawyer now.
How much is severance pay?
Generally, severance pay is equal to one week’s pay for every year you worked, to a maximum of 26 weeks of pay. Severance is paid on a pro rated basis for a year that was not completed.
Who qualifies for severance pay?
The Employment Standards Act (ESA) states that an employee qualifies for severance if he or she has worked for their employer for at least five years and loses their job through no fault of their own, and that employer:
- has an annual payroll of at least $2.5 million, or
- severed the employment of 50 or more employees in a six-month period because all or part of the business permanently closed.
Who is not entitled to severance pay?
In Ontario, there are many circumstances under which employees are not entitled to severance. These circumstances include, if:
- they refused a reasonable offer of a different job with the employer,
- they retire on a full pension,
- the employment is ended because a strike resulted in the closing of the business,
- the employee is fired based on their behaviour, such as wilful misconduct, disobedience or wilful neglect of duty, and so on.
Federal employees
Federally, the Canada Labour Code also provides for severance pay for employees with 12 months service or more before their layoff or dismissal resulted in the termination of their employment. In this case, employees are entitled to two days’ of regular wages for each full year they have worked with a minimum benefit paid of five days’ pay.
If you are unsure about your rights as an employee under federal authority, or for more information, view the Government of Canada’s labour standards for federal workers.
When is severance paid?
If you are entitled to severance pay, it must be paid to you either seven days after your employment is severed, or, on what would have been your next regular pay day, whichever is later. Your employer is also required to pay all wages and vacation pay owed to you within the same time period.
Get help
If you are entitled to severance pay and have not received it within the required time period, you may be able to get assistance from the Employment Standards office. However, a claim under the Employment Standards Act for termination or severance pay prevents you from suing for wrongful dismissal. Before making such a claim, contact our preferred paralegals Nicola (Nick) Giannantonio Legal Services.
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Whether you have been fired or are away from work for an extended period, for reasons such as maternity leave or illness, it is important to know your rights and responsibilities. To get help, ask a lawyer now.
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