Not long after making handwritten notes on cups mandatory, Starbucks announced that it was eliminating hundreds of jobs and closing underperforming stores across North America.
In British Columbia, at least 12 locations, from Victoria to Revelstoke, have already locked their doors—shocking staff and customers.
Here are three things that non-unionized workers in Canada shouldn’t do if they’re laid off as part of their employer’s restructuring plan.
1. Don’t lose your temper
After finding out that you’re being let go, it can be extremely tempting to lash out at your boss. However, keeping your cool is crucial.
Severance for non-unionized employees in the country can be as much as 24 months’ pay. Getting angry or doing something to hurt the company could affect the amount of compensation you’re legally entitled to.
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READ MORE: 5 ways to determine if your severance package is fair
If you’re let go without severance pay, remain calm and contact an experienced employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP. We can determine if this type of dismissal was appropriate in your situation and help you secure proper compensation if it wasn’t.
2. Don’t sign your severance offer immediately
Contrary to popular belief, Canadians don’t have to accept their employer’s severance offer on the spot.
If you receive a severance offer from your boss, hold off on signing anything until you speak with my firm. The company can’t force you to accept it before leaving your termination meeting or a few days after it was provided to you.
READ MORE: 5 things employees should never do before talking to an employment lawyer
As long as you didn’t sign the offer and return it to your employer, you have two years from the date of your dismissal to pursue full severance pay.
3. Don’t negotiate a new severance package on your own
While it might seem like a good idea to advocate for better compensation on your own, the experienced employment law team at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP will ensure your company doesn’t get the best of you.
This was a mistake that one of our clients, an administrative assistant, almost made after being laid off during an “organizational restructuring.”
Unimpressed with his severance package, the individual sent his employer an email—explaining why he believed he was entitled to another month of pay.
When the company quickly agreed to his request, the administrative assistant couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong and decided to contact Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.
After a thorough review of his situation, we informed him that he was entitled to far more compensation than what was being offered.
In the end, we were able to secure every cent of severance pay that our client was owed without getting the courts involved.
READ MORE: Tech exec’s severance victory: Turning termination into triumph
Lost your job? Boss pressuring you to sign a severance offer immediately?
Contact the firm or call 1-855-821-5900 for a consultation with an employment lawyer. Get the advice you need and the compensation you deserve.
Lior Samfiru is an employment lawyer and co-founding partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, Canada’s most positively reviewed law firm specializing in employment law and long-term disability claims. He provides legal insight on Canada’s only Employment Law Show on TV and radio.