I'm no longer at Open Text, I was laid off last year, but I admit I'm curious to see if severance remains the same or if they shrunk it even more.
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Offers are the same - minimum required by law to cover ESA, but below case standards of 1 month per year of service + additional months based on complicating factors like age, seniority, how easily you can find equal or better employment, etc. Most people are shell shocked or afraid for the future and just take the initial offer immediately but companies count on this low ball initial offer working as such and for subsequent trading of demands from lawyers until an agreement is met. They do not want to go to court and have a precedent set or receive the publicity.
I’m sorry for my fellas working in Canada/US but your labor laws su-ks in comparison to European countries… At least here we get decent severance, you need union
Opentext always does the bare minimum per the law and has lawyers on retainer waiting to take on cases.
In Ontario, if you're offered one week per year, get yourself a lawyer. Depending on your age and seniority, you can get much more.
https://toronto-employmentlawyer.com/severance-calculator/?severance=true&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=severance_calculator&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18188631295&gbraid=0AAAAAD2h_VVZtFptDr4h2WRLtjd3l9rD3&gclid=CjwKCAjwyYPOBhBxEiwAgpT8P8XV-U9CxBeaWJlaIGKOKoNN89tA2HhO_jyukjsComFDOCgu3MPgaxoC5lAQAvD_BwE
@av and all we have in the states is the WARN act and some perks for a handful of states.
At least if you make it to the 5 you're guaranteed something decent.
Apparently, Ontario changed the Employee Standard Act in 2026. If you work 5+ plus years you are entitled to severance (1 year = 1 week of pay) plus accrued vacation time, etc. If you have been with the org less than 5 years you are entitled to termination notice pay between 1-3 weeks and severance pay is not required.
https://www.ontario.ca/document/your-guide-employment-standards-act-0
Not sure if it is different this time around but all the previous layoffs .....it is a week per year..capped at 10 weeks.
It is designed so the most anyone can get in severance is 12 weeks (2 week notice period..starts day 1 plus up to 10 weeks severance). For the people in one of the 4 or 5 US States that require it..you are also paid any accrued-un-used PTO. If you are not in one of those states you lose any accrued but unused PTO.
The above does not include anyone with an Executive Comp Contract..much different. They (of course) get a handsome payout to leave quietly.
@a3 Seriously? The cheapskates!
@a1 Sorry, asking about the US.
1 week per year in us/can
Depends on the country you are in