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

Electronic Arts (EA) is cutting jobs at Full Circle, it’s video game studio located in Burnaby, British Columbia (BC).

“We’re reshaping [ourselves] to better support skate.’s long-term future and focus the team on the things that matter most to you — and making those things great,” Full Circle said in an online post to its community.

“These shifts mean making changes to our team structure, and some roles will be impacted…This decision is not a reflection of their impact and we’re committed to supporting them through this transition.”

This page explains:

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

EA Layoffs: A Timeline of Recent Job Cuts

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

• Sept. 2025: Layoffs could be on the horizon for EA following the completion of its $55-billion acquisition by an investor consortium.
• May 2025: EA has cancelled its in-development Black Panther game and shut down Cliffhanger Games.
• Feb. 2024: EA is eliminating approximately five per cent of its workforce and reducing office space as it restructures its business.
• March 2023: EA is cutting approximately 800 jobs, or six per cent of its workforce, as part of a company-wide restructuring.
• May 2022: EA is reportedly laying off approximately 100 customer service employees at its office in Austin, Texas.
• March 2019: EA confirmed that it’s eliminating 350 jobs globally. The company says the move is focused on addressing redundancies in its marketing and publishing departments.
• Feb. 2015: EA is laying off staff at its office in Montreal, Quebec. The company didn’t disclose how many Canadian employees would be affected.
• May 2013: EA announced that it’s cutting around 900 jobs as part of a company-wide restructuring aimed at reducing costs.

Who’s Affected by the Latest Round of EA Layoffs?

Several Full Circle employees affected by the workforce reduction posted updates on LinkedIn.

“I’ve been impacted by the layoffs at Full Circle…If your team needs an Environment Artist and Designer with 9 years of experience, I’m looking for work,” one post reads.

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

Is an EA Layoff Temporary or Permanent?

For non-unionized employees at EA, 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 EA 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 EA Employees

In Canada, non-unionized employees, including those at EA, 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, EA 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 EA Layoffs

A wrongful dismissal occurs when major employers, including EA, 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
• EA labelled your termination a “temporary layoff” without contractual authority

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

Laid Off at EA? Next Steps

If you’ve been laid off at EA:

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

EA Layoffs: Frequently Asked Questions

How much severance can EA employees receive?

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

Are EA layoffs permanent?

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

Does EA have to include bonuses in severance?

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

Can EA terminate employees on leave?

This can raise serious wrongful dismissal and human rights issues.

Can employment lawyers represent unionized EA staff?

No. Unionized employees at EA must go through their union.

Lost Your Job at EA? Get Help Now

If EA 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.