Google Layoffs: Your Rights and Severance Pay Explained

Facing a layoff at Google? Know your options
What is Google Canada?
Google Canada is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., the U.S.-based parent company of Google.
The multinational technology company operates a search engine that helps billions of users access a wide array of information and entertainment.
Founded in 2002, Google Canada employs a national workforce of more than 2,500 employees.
Opening its first office in Toronto, Ontario, the company has expanded across the country with physical locations in Kitchener, Ottawa, Edmonton, and Vancouver.
Google’s software engineers, product managers, user experience researchers, and designers collaborate to build systems used by hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
Rights for non-unionized employees
The tech industry comes with unique dynamics that can affect staff during a layoff.
For instance, individuals often work under specific employment contracts, bonus structures, or non-compete clauses that may impact their severance entitlements and future job prospects.
If you’ve been let go from Google, it’s critical to review your employment agreement carefully.
We’re here to support your next steps
Losing your job is more than just a financial setback — it’s a major change that can impact your career trajectory and personal confidence.
This guide is here to provide clarity and empower you during this transition.
We’ll outline your severance rights, explain what non-unionized employees are entitled to, and offer actionable steps to help you move forward and protect your future.
WATCH: Key things non-unionized employees should know after a layoff, with employment lawyer Lior Samfiru on the Employment Law Show.
Laid off at Google? 5 steps to take
1️⃣ Don’t sign anything immediately: Take your time to review all termination documents carefully. Speak with a lawyer before signing anything to ensure you’re fully informed and protected.
2️⃣ Document everything: Save copies of termination letters, severance offers, and correspondence with your employer for future reference.
3️⃣ Use our Severance Pay Calculator: Estimate what you’re owed with our Severance Pay Calculator. This quick step helps you understand your entitlements and plan your next move.
4️⃣ Get legal advice: Contact an employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP to ensure your severance package reflects your full rights.
5️⃣ Start exploring new opportunities: Update your resume and begin searching for new roles. Proactively seeking work demonstrates your efforts to find a new job, which is very important in severance claims.
💡 Wrongfully dismissed? Our firm can review your situation and advise you of potential next steps in the event that you were wrongfully dismissed.
Severance pay facts for Google employees
-
How to calculate
Severance Pay can include up to 24 months’ pay. It’s based on factors like your length of service, age, position, and the current job market conditions. -
Additional factors
Severance can include more than a lump sum. Regular bonuses, commissions, and continued health or dental benefits should be part of your package, especially if they’re critical for ongoing care.
-
Time limit
Your employer’s deadline to sign a severance offer isn’t legally binding. Take your time to review it and get legal advice. You have up to two years from your termination date to file a claim. -
Still owed severance
Severance often applies even when employers claim cause, misclassify you as a contractor, end a fixed-term contract early, or make major changes to your job.
Google layoffs: Key dates & insights
Google has announced several layoffs over recent years due to recessions, downsizing, restructuring, cost-cutting measures, and shifts in operational focus.
Below is a timeline of recent layoffs:
- April 2025: Google has reportedly trimmed a variety teams, including Android, Pixel, and Chrome.
- December 2024: Google has slashed its top management positions by approximately 10 per cent as part of its years-long efficiency push.
- May 2024: Google reportedly reduced the size of several teams in its Cloud unit to cap off the month.
- April 2024: Google has reportedly trimmed several teams, including Dart, Flutter, and Python, ahead of its annual I/O developer conference.
- April 2024: Google is reportedly reducing the size of various teams, including real estate and finance.
- January 2024: YouTube, Google’s video-sharing platform, is eliminating 100 positions as it restructures its business.
- January 2024: Google is reducing the size of its ad sales team by “a few hundred roles globally.”
- January 2024: Google is eliminating hundreds of roles across its Assistant, hardware, and engineering teams in an effort to cut costs.
- December 2023: A report claims Google’s AI tools have made many jobs in its ad sales unit redundant, which could result in mass layoffs.
- September 2023: Hundreds of recruiters are being fired by Google as hiring at the tech giant slows.
- January 2023: Google parent Alphabet is eliminating approximately 12,000 jobs, or six per cent of its workforce, as the tech company grapples with a slowdown in growth.
- September 2022: Google has reportedly notified around 50 workers, which is roughly half of those employed at the tech giant’s startup incubator Area 120, that they need to find a new internal role in the next three months if they want to stay with the company.
- February 2021: Google announced that it is closing Stadia Games & Entertainment, which would result in more than 150 employees losing their jobs.
- August 2020: Google’s investment arm GV, formerly Google Ventures, has reportedly laid off seven employees.
- October 2016: Access, the Alphabet internet division containing Google Fiber, announced that it will lay off employees and replace its CEO as it looks for cheaper ways to deliver internet service to new cities.
When layoffs happen, we deliver results
Samfiru Tumarkin LLP specializes in resolving severance matters efficiently, ensuring clients get fair compensation without stepping into a courtroom. Nearly all cases are settled in our clients’ favour early, but when court is necessary, we have the expertise to deliver results — often with legal fees covered by the employer.

Big win for short-service executive
In Perretta v. Rand A Technology Corporation, a sales professional refused to settle for less when her employer tried to tie severance to an unfair release. With Samfiru Tumarkin LLP on her side, she walked away with six months of severance — a bold win.

BMO faces the music
In Maticevic v. Bank of Montreal, a dedicated long-term employee found justice after being wrongfully dismissed. With Stephen LeMesurier, a lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP leading the charge, they secured a game-changing severance package.

Short stint, huge statement
In Marques v. Delmar International, a high-level executive was shown the door after just eight months — but didn’t leave empty-handed. Thanks to Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, they secured a four-month severance, showing even short-term employees deserve big wins.
Layoff FAQs
Do employment contracts affect severance?
Yes, an employment contract can affect your severance entitlements if it includes enforceable termination clauses.
However, many of these clauses may be invalid for several reasons.
Are temporary layoffs legal?
Temporary layoffs for non-unionized employees are generally not permitted unless specifically allowed by an employment contract.
Otherwise, a layoff may be treated as a termination through a constructive dismissal claim.
Am I entitled to severance as a contractor?
If your work closely resembles that of an employee — such as reporting to a manager, using company equipment, or working regular hours — you may qualify for severance even if classified as a contractor.
Should I negotiate my severance package?
To ensure that you receive the amount of compensation that you’re entitled to, let our lawyers in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia negotiate on your behalf.
Are severance deadlines legal?
Your employer’s deadline to accept a severance offer isn’t legally binding.
You have up to two years from your termination date to file a claim for severance, so it’s important to review your offer carefully and seek legal advice before signing anything.
Can unionized employees get severance?
Unionized employees are governed by collective agreements, which outline severance and other rights.
By law, only your union can represent you in these matters — even if you feel your union isn’t providing adequate assistance. Unfortunately, our firm can’t assist represent employees with severance or wrongful dismissal issues.
Why Samfiru Tumarkin LLP?
At Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, we’ve helped over 50,000 clients secure fair severance packages — recovering millions of dollars for non-unionized employees across Canada.
With extensive experience representing workers in roles at small businesses and large organizations across various industries, our team provides the expertise you need to navigate your layoff effectively.
We specialize in assisting employees in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia — ensuring their rights are fully protected.
In addition to employment law, our firm handles disability claims and personal injury cases.
Get help today!
Contact Samfiru Tumarkin LLP to get the compensation you’re entitled to.
Call 1-855-821-5900 or request a consultation online.
Key resources for Google 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.