Alex Lucifero on Greyhound closure and layoffs

Interview Summary

With news of Greyhound closing down across Canada, Canadians expressed concerns over the end of the transportation route as well as what the closure will mean for employees. Are Greyhound non-unionized employees entitled to severance? Does a company closure affect how much severance employees are entitled to?

Alex Lucifero, an employment lawyer and Managing Partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP joins CTV News Ottawa’s Matt Skube to discuss Greyhound employee rights and entitlements.

Interview Notes

Are employees owed severance pay when a company like Greyhound closes?

Employees that are non-unionized are owed severance provided a company has closed and not declared bankruptcy. Severance entitlements do not change despite the fact that a company is shutting down. Severance calculations will be based on the age of the employee, their position and length of employment.

Does advance notice given by an employer affect an employee’s severance?

Employers are within their rights to give advance notice to employees if they are aware of a future shutdown. Advance notice counts towards an employee’s severance package. It is likely that the employee is still owed severance pay beyond the notice period.

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Employment lawyer on Greyhound Closure and Severance Pay

Do employees have to accept a severance offer immediately?

Employees do not have to accept the severance that is offered immediately and in fact, should contact an employment lawyer before agreeing to a release. Employers are often unaware of their severance obligations and offer employees less compensation than they are owed. Employees are within their rights to pursue their severance entitlements for up to two years after the initial termination date.