IDP Education Layoffs in Canada: Employee Rights, Severance Pay, and What You Need to Know

On November 28, 2025, international student placement organisation IDP Education carried out a large round of layoffs in Canada, with employees reporting that the company is shutting down entire departments and terminating staff across multiple roles.

These developments follow months of financial strain for the international education giant.

In the hours following today’s news, multiple IDP Education employees in Canada contacted employment law firm Samfiru Tumarkin LLP to report that the company let them go and to request a legal review of their severance packages.

Whether IDP terminates staff — whether a few employees or an entire department — Canadian law treats the decision as a termination without cause. That means affected employees often qualify for significantly more severance than the company initially offers.

This guide outlines the rights, severance entitlements, and next steps for non-unionized IDP Education employees impacted by the layoffs.

Why IDP Education May Be Laying Off Staff

According to recent disclosures about IDP, AFR.com reports that:

• Revenue from placements in Australia dropped 19%
• International enrolment revenue fell 13%
• Net profit collapsed by 64%
• IDP expects up to a 30% decline in new student enrolments
• The company plans to cut at least $25 million in costs next year

This financial pressure has coincided with:

• Tighter visa rules in Canada, Australia, and the UK
• Reduced approval rates for international students
• Growing competition in the student placement and language-testing sector
• Operational “cost discipline” initiatives announced by IDP’s CEO

Employees in Canada report that some departments are closing entirely, leaving staff suddenly out of work.

Who IDP Education May Lay Off in Canada

While IDP does not publish detailed Canadian headcount data, affected roles are commonly tied to:

• Student placement advising and counselling teams
• IELTS or language-testing support roles
• Recruitment, partnerships, and business development
• Marketing, communications, and education-sector outreach
• Administrative, HR, and operational support teams
• Technology, platform, or digital product teams

If a department is shut down, all positions in that unit may be at risk, regardless of performance.

Your Rights When IDP Education Lays You Off

For non-unionized employees in Canada, a layoff — regardless of the reason — is legally considered a termination without cause.

IDP Education must provide:

• Full severance pay
• Notice or pay in lieu
• All compensation owed under common law, not just provincial minimums

This includes:

• Salary
• Benefits
• Bonus or incentive pay
• Commissions
• RRSP contributions
• Vacation pay
• Any other forms of compensation earned during employment

Severance Packages for IDP Education Employees

Your severance entitlement depends on:

• Age
• Position and scope of responsibility
• Total years of service
• How long it will take to find similar employment

Many IDP Education employees may be entitled to up to 24 months of severance pay.

Companies often provide “standard packages” that:

• Cover only the Employment Standards Act minimums
• Exclude bonus or incentive pay
• End benefits prematurely
• Set short, pressured signing deadlines
• Offer a lump sum without explaining how the number was calculated

Potential Issues in IDP Education Layoff Notices

Common problems we see include:

• Incorrect severance calculations
• Misleading “temporary layoff” language (often not allowed without a contract)
• Missing or unclear bonus/commission treatment
• RSUs, incentives, or benefits not addressed
• Extremely short deadlines to accept
• Compensation not broken down properly

Any one of these issues may mean your severance is significantly below what you’re owed.

Red Flags in IDP Education Severance Offers

Be cautious if your package:

• Offers only a few weeks or months of pay
• Omits bonus, commission, or performance-based pay
• Ends benefits immediately
• Uses unclear or vague compensation breakdowns
• Comes with a 24–48-hour signing deadline
• describes the offer as “standard” or “non-negotiable”
• Does not explain how the severance amount is calculated

Wrongful Dismissal and IDP Education Layoffs

A wrongful dismissal occurs when an employee does not receive the full severance they’re owed.

You may have a wrongful dismissal claim if:

• Your severance package is too low
• Your termination clause is unenforceable
• You are pressured to sign quickly
• You’re fired during maternity, parental, disability, or medical leave
• Your job is labelled a “temporary layoff” with no contractual right

Even small waves of layoffs can lead to widespread severance issues.

What To Do If IDP Education Lays You Off

1. Don’t sign anything before speaking to an employment lawyer.
2. Gather all documents, including your employment contract and compensation records.
3. Use the Severance Pay Calculator for a quick estimate.
4. Keep written notes about your job duties and performance.
5. Contact an employment lawyer as soon as possible to understand your options.

Employees typically have up to two years to pursue a claim — but signing deadlines can be as short as 48 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions About IDP Education Layoffs

How much severance can IDP Education employees get?

Up to 24 months, depending on your age, role, and years of service.

Are IDP Education layoffs temporary?

No. A layoff is legally considered a permanent termination unless there is a valid contractual right to temporarily lay off an employee.

Does IDP Education have to include commissions, bonuses, or incentives in severance?

Often yes — these are typically part of total compensation.

What if I’m laid off while on maternity, medical, or disability leave?

This may trigger both wrongful dismissal and human rights damages.

Should I get legal advice?

Absolutely. Severance packages are frequently below legal minimums, especially during restructuring waves.

How Samfiru Tumarkin LLP Can Help With IDP Education Layoffs

If IDP Education has laid you off — or if your department has been shut down — speak with an employment lawyer before signing anything.

Samfiru Tumarkin LLP has helped over 50,000 Canadians across Ontario, Alberta, and BC, secure the compensation they’re owed, and has earned more than 3,000 five-star reviews across the country.

Disclaimer: The materials above are provided as general information about the rights of non-unionized employees in Canada. It is not specific to any one company and should not be read as suggesting any improper conduct on the part of any specific employer, or a relationship between Samfiru Tumarkin LLP and a specific employer.