Colliers Layoffs: Severance Pay for Employees
Colliers International Group, commonly known as Colliers, is a Canadian-based diversified professional services and investment management company specializing in commercial real estate services. Founded in 1976, the company is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. Colliers operates in 70 countries, employing approximately 20,000 professionals globally.
Colliers’ workforce encompasses a variety of roles, including real estate brokers, property managers, investment advisors, engineers, and consultants. The company operates several subsidiaries, including Colliers Engineering & Design and Colliers Mortgage.
Colliers Layoffs: Severance pay facts
Employees at Colliers are entitled to up to 24 months of severance pay when laid off or terminated without cause, whether full-time, part-time, or hourly. Some independent contractors may also qualify for severance.
Key Severance Facts
- Severance Pay: Severance can reach up to 24 months’ pay and is calculated based on factors such as position, length of service, age, and ability to find similar work. Explore detailed information about severance pay in in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C.
- What’s Included: Severance packages may include salary, bonuses, commissions, and other compensation earned during employment.
- Deadlines: Employees generally have up to two years from the date of termination to pursue severance, regardless of any timelines mentioned in employer documents.
Note: We’ve assisted individuals in a variety of roles, from entry-level to executive positions, in obtaining enhanced severance packages.
How is severance pay calculated for Colliers employees?
Severance packages are designed to provide financial support during a career transition. Key factors include:
- Length of Service: Employees with longer tenure may be entitled to more compensation.
- Age: Older employees may receive additional severance, reflecting potential challenges in finding similar work.
- Position: Specialized roles or senior positions can lead to higher compensation.
- Availability of Comparable Roles: Severance may account for the ease or difficulty of finding equivalent employment.
- Employment Contracts: While some employment agreements attempt to limit severance, not all limitations are enforceable.
It’s a common misconception that employees are only entitled to the minimum amounts set by employment standards legislation. Many individuals qualify for much larger packages under common law—up to 24 months’ pay. Use our Severance Pay Calculator for a quick estimate of what you might be owed.
To learn more about how severance works in Canada, watch this quick primer featuring employment lawyer Lior Samfiru:
What to expect during a layoff at Colliers
Navigating a layoff can feel overwhelming, but understanding the process can help you take the right steps:
- Communication: You’ll likely be informed of the layoff through a meeting or written notice. During this meeting, you may receive documents such as a termination letter, details about severance, and information on benefits.
- Review Documents Carefully: Avoid signing any paperwork immediately. Take the time to understand the terms and seek legal advice before agreeing to anything.
- Support Options: Your employer may offer resources like career transition services to assist you during this period.
- Severance Offers: Employers might set deadlines for accepting severance packages. Those deadlines aren’t legally binding—you have up to two years from the termination date to pursue your full entitlements.
Remember: You have the right to take your time and make informed decisions. Consulting an employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP can help you navigate this process confidently.
Colliers Layoffs: Timeline and analysis
Below is a timeline of recent layoffs at Colliers:
- No significant layoffs have been reported.
Steps to take if you’ve been laid off
If you’ve been impacted by layoffs, consider the following steps:
- Review Before Signing: Ensure any severance agreements are reviewed by an employment lawyer.
- Understand Your Entitlements: Use our Severance Pay Calculator for an estimate of your severance.
- Seek Legal Advice: Contact our team for a consultation to understand your rights.
- Keep Records: Save copies of termination notices, severance offers, and other relevant documents for reference.
Once you’ve taken the initial steps, it’s essential to work with experienced legal professionals to ensure your severance and rights are fully protected.
Why choose Samfiru Tumarkin LLP
At Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, we focus on securing fair severance packages early in the process, helping employees avoid the time, expense, and stress of litigation whenever possible. With extensive experience representing non-unionized employees across various industries, we provide effective, client-focused solutions to navigate layoffs and secure what you’re owed.
If you’ve been laid off, our experienced employment lawyers are here to guide you. We offer tailored advice for employees in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia, ensuring your rights are protected. Beyond employment law, we also handle disability claims and personal injury cases, providing comprehensive legal support.
Let us help you through this challenging time. Contact us today or call 1-855-821-5900 to get started.
Additional resources for employees
- Severance for provincially regulated employees
- Severance pay by company
- Severance packages in mass layoffs
- Termination for cause: Why severance may still be owed
- Wrongful Dismissal: What it is and how to respond
- Employment rights when a business closes
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.