Netflix Layoffs: What’s Happening, Who’s Affected & Severance Rights in Canada

Netflix is laying off “several dozen” employees in its 6,000-person product division as part of a restructuring. (Deadline)

The workforce reduction comes just days after the streaming giant promoted their CTO, Elizabeth Stone, to chief product and technology officer on Feb. 2, 2026.

• SEE ALSO: Netflix Sweetens $72B Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery Amid Paramount Duel

This page explains:

• What’s happening with Netflix layoffs
• Who’s most affected
• Whether a Netflix layoff is permanent
• How much severance Netflix employees in Canada may be owed
• What to do before signing a severance offer

Netflix Layoffs: A Timeline of Recent Job Cuts

Netflix has experienced several restructuring cycles in recent years, with job cuts that have affected teams linked to Canadian operations.

• October 2024
  Netflix has laid off approximately 10 employees across its series and film publicity departments during a reorganization under new publicity leadership.
• April 2024
  Netflix has cut 15 roles from its film division as part of a broader restructuring.

Who’s Affected by the Latest Round of Layoffs?

The latest round of job cuts at Netflix reportedly affects:

• Admin divisions
• Middle management

It remains unclear if Canadian workers are being let go. The company currently employs more than 350 people in the country, according to LinkedIn.

Netflix is a provincially regulated employer — meaning most non-unionized employees are governed provincial employment standards, not the Canada Labour Code.

Is a Netflix Layoff Temporary or Permanent?

For non-unionized Netflix employees, a layoff is almost always treated as a termination without cause, even if the following language is used:

• “Restructuring”
• “Reorganization”
• “Transformation”
• “Temporary layoff”

Unless your employment contract explicitly allows for Netflix to temporarily lay you off, the company can’t place you on indefinite layoff without terminating your employment — meaning they must provide full severance pay.

Severance Pay for Netflix Staff

In Canada, non-unionized employees, including those at Netflix, are often owed far more severance pay than what’s outlined in their initial offer.

Severance is based on common law entitlements, not just minimum standards. Factors include:

• Age
• Length of service
• Position and seniority
• Availability of comparable jobs

In many cases, Netflix employees in Canada can be owed up to 24 months of compensation.

Severance may include:

• Base salary
• Continued benefits
• Bonus and incentive compensation
• Stock, equity, or RRSP contributions (where applicable)
• Vacation pay
• Other earned compensation

First offers often:

• Cover only minimum entitlements
• Exclude bonuses or incentives
• Impose short signing deadlines
• Undervalue long-service or senior employees

Severance Offers: Common Problems

Canadian employees affected by layoffs frequently report issues such as:

• Severance offers far below legal entitlements
• Missing or unclear compensation breakdowns
• Benefits cut off too early
• Bonuses excluded without justification
• “Temporary layoff” language used improperly
• Pressure to sign within 24–48 hours

Wrongful Dismissal and Netflix Layoffs

A wrongful dismissal occurs when major employers, including Netflix, fail to provide full severance required under common law.

You may have a claim if:

• Your severance offer is too low
• A termination clause isn’t enforceable
• You were pressured to accept your severance offer on the spot
• Bonuses or benefits were excluded from your severance package
• You were terminated while on medical, parental, or disability leave
• Netflix labelled your termination a “temporary layoff” without contractual authority

Large-scale layoffs at Netflix don’t reduce their legal obligations in Canada.

Laid Off at Netflix? Next Steps

If you’ve been laid off at Netflix:

1. Don’t sign your severance offer immediately
2. Gather your employment contract, bonus plans, and benefits information
3. Use the Severance Pay Calculator to double-check your entitlements
4. Keep records of your role, compensation, and length of service
5. Speak with an employment lawyer before agreeing to anything

Netflix Layoffs: Frequently Asked Questions

How much severance can Netflix employees receive?

Up to 24 months — depending on age, service, and position.

Are Netflix layoffs permanent?

For non-unionized employees, yes. A layoff is typically a termination.

Does Netflix have to include bonuses in severance?

Often yes — especially if bonuses were a regular part of compensation.

Can Netflix terminate employees on leave?

This can raise serious wrongful dismissal and human rights issues.

Can employment lawyers represent unionized Netflix staff?

No. Unionized Netflix employees must go through their union.

Lost Your Job at Netflix? Get Help Now

If Netflix has laid you off, or offered a severance/buyout package, don’t do anything before seeking legal advice.

Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, one of Canada’s most reviewed employment law firms, has helped more than 50,000 Canadians secure the compensation they’re legally entitled to.

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.