Illumina cuts more than 300 jobs in April, part of cost reduction program

What’s going on at Illumina?

Illumina has reportedly eliminated more than 300 jobs, or approximately 3.5 per cent of its workforce, as part of its “$100-million cost reduction program.”

“We are taking steps to ensure our talent and operating costs are aligned to enable Illumina’s long-term success,” a spokesperson told GenomeWeb in an email.

The move comes as the San Diego-based biotechnology company grapples with China’s ban on its sequencers.

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Impact on Canadian staff

Samfiru Tumarkin LLP is working to determine if any Canadian employees at Illumina have been let go.

According to LinkedIn, the company has more than 60 workers in the country.

Next steps for Illumina employees

If you’re fired or let go from Illumina, understanding your legal rights is crucial.

Non-unionized employees in Canada are entitled to severance pay. The amount you’re owed is based on a variety of factors, including your role, tenure, age, and ability to find similar work.

WATCH: Employment lawyer Lior Samfiru delves into severance pay on an episode of the Employment Law Show.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Compensation: Severance packages, which can be as much as 24 months’ pay, may include salary, bonuses, commissions, and other forms of compensation. Use our firm’s free Severance Pay Calculator to better understand your entitlements.
• Deadlines: You generally have up to two years from the date of your termination to review and negotiate severance offers.
• Action steps: Consult an employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP to ensure your severance package is fair and aligns with Canadian employment laws.

Major employers slashing staff

Illumina isn’t the only major employer scaling back their staffing levels in 2025.

Other big names, including Google, Microsoft, S&S Activewear, Siemens, HPE, Wayfair, MLSE, Disney, Autodesk, JPMorgan, Vale, Canada Post, Workday, ADM, Amazon, and Shopify, have also pulled out the axe.

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• Estée Lauder reportedly cut all Canadian staff in Hudson’s Bay stores
• Canada’s immigration department slashing workforce by 25%
• Where are layoffs happening in Canada?

Lost your job? Contact us

If you’ve been fired or let go from Illumina, the experienced employment law team at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP can help.

Our lawyers in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C. have helped tens of thousands of non-unionized individuals resolve their workplace issues.

Call us today at 1-855-821-5900 or request a consultation online.

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.