Looming layoffs for Hudson’s Bay employees: Lior Samfiru on 640 Toronto

Interview Summary

Hudson’s Bay layoffs are looming for thousands of employees across the country. The department store will not have any severance obligations due to declaring bankruptcy, and former staff will be without compensation.

Lior Samfiru, an Ontario employment lawyer and co-founding Partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, joined 640 Toronto with Greg Brady to discuss whether former employees have any options to pursue their entitlements.

Interview Notes

• Next steps for employees: Samfiru noted that many Hudson’s Bay employees are long-service employees and will struggle to find future employment. “In a bankruptcy situation, employees are left with little to no entitlements. In a normal situation, if an employee were to lose their job, we have employment laws that protect them and provide them with compensation.”
• Pensions for Hudson’s Bay staff: “Luckily, those pensions will remain. This is a significant plus for these employees,” Samfiru explained. “If these employees were receiving proper notice and severance, pensions would have continued to grow over that period.”
• Working for another department store: Samfiru stated that former employees will be able to receive compensation through the Wage Earner Protection Program, but it will be significantly less. “This amount of money won’t be impacted if an employee can find employment at a new store.”
• Finding new employment: “It is a tough time right now, as retail is struggling. It is going to be a struggle for these individuals,” Samfiru commented.

Related Resources

For further insights and discussions related to employee rights, explore the following resources:

• Bankruptcy guide for employees in Canada
• Sears Act