Ubisoft Toronto Layoffs: 33 employees fired in ‘targeted realignment’

What’s happening at Ubisoft Toronto?

Ubisoft is terminating 33 employees at its Toronto studio, as the video game maker continues to experience the industry-wide wave of layoffs. This decision, confirmed by PC Gamer, is part of a “targeted realignment” and aims to align with the company’s ambitious future plans.

Official statement and context

• Company Statement: “Ubisoft Toronto has decided to conduct a targeted realignment to ensure it can deliver on its ambitious roadmap,” a representative stated to PC Gamer. “Unfortunately, this will impact the roles of 33 team members who will be leaving Ubisoft. We are committed to providing comprehensive support to them, including severance and career assistance, to help through this transition.”
• Project Impact: Despite these layoffs, Ubisoft assures that ongoing projects such as the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake and the Splinter Cell remake will continue without disruption.

Industry reaction

• Broader Context: The justification of layoffs under the guise of future growth or realignment is becoming increasingly common. In recent months, Sumo Group, Gameloft, Take-Two Interactive, Xbox, Square Enix, and Embracer Group have all announced layoffs citing similar reasons. Ubisoft laid off 45 employees earlier this year.
• Market Dynamics: The rapid expansion seen during the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by increased game playing while people were home, has slowed. Companies are now adjusting to a more stabilized market environment.

Your next step

If you have been affected by the layoffs at Ubisoft, continue reading to find out what your rights are, and why you need to contact the employment lawyers at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

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Termination agreements for Ubisoft employees

In Canada, non-unionized employees at Ubisoft are owed full severance pay when they lose their jobs due to downsizing, corporate restructuring, or the closure of the business.

This applies to individuals working in any capacity — full-time, part-time, hourly, or potentially even independent contractors — in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia.

Severance is the compensation provided to non-unionized workers in Canada by their employer when they are terminated without cause, and can be as much as 24 months’ pay, depending on a number of factors.

WATCH: Employment lawyer Lior Samfiru explains why you are still owed severance if you have been downsized on an episode of the Employment Law Show.

Severance offers and deadlines

Before accepting a severance offer, double-check the amount using our firm’s free Severance Pay Calculator. It has helped millions of Canadians determine their entitlements.

In addition to your salary, make sure to factor in any other elements of your compensation (i.e. bonuses, commission, etc.).

If your employer’s offer falls short of what our Severance Pay Calculator says you are owed, it’s very likely that you have been wrongfully dismissed and should contact an experienced employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

Non-unionized employees in Canada have up to two years from the date of their dismissal to pursue proper severance pay. An employer’s deadline to sign back a severance offer is not legally enforceable or binding.

LEARN MORE
• Severance pay for provincially regulated employees
• Rights to severance during mass layoffs
• Severance entitlements in a recession

Major layoffs continue

The job cuts at Ubisoft come amid a flurry of layoffs in 2024.

Big names, including Timbre Games, Vancity, Stifel, WillScot of Canada, Netflix, McKinsey & Co, EXL Service, Best Buy, Relic Entertainment, Ubisoft, Intel, Amazon, Telus, Canada Goose, Dell, Unilever, IBM, and TC Energy, have pulled out the axe as they continue to navigate challenging economic conditions.

SEE ALSO
• Shell to lay off 20% of deals division, part of restructuring
• Walmart Canada cuts jobs amid restructuring, shift to Spark: Reports
• Where are layoffs happening in Canada?

Lost your job? Talk to an employment lawyer

If you have been fired or let go for any reason, contact the experienced employment law team at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

Our lawyers in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C. have successfully represented tens of thousands of non-unionized individuals.

In addition to severance package negotiations, we can assist you on a broad range of employment matters, including:

If you are a non-unionized employee who needs help with a workplace issue, contact us or call 1-855-821-5900 to get the advice you need and the compensation you deserve.