Meta announces new Toronto engineering hub, adding 2,500 jobs

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has recently announced plans to bring 2,500 new jobs to Canada over the next five years. Their plans include opening an engineering hub in Toronto, with job openings that will offer both remote and in-office work.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has commented that this will mean “the rest of the province outside of Toronto will also see their opportunities grow as a result of this investment.”

Canadian employees interested in these jobs would be well advised to know exactly what they’re signing up for before putting their signature on an employment contract.

What laws will apply to Meta employees working in Canada?

Although Meta is an American company, employment laws are largely dictated by the particular location where an employee works. In other words, Meta will have to comply with the laws of the provinces where their Canadian employees are working. Provincial legislation covers aspects like minimum wage, vacation pay, overtime pay and reasonable notice, also known as severance pay.

Employee rights for remote workers

Meta’s decision to offer remote positions will no doubt be welcomed by many Canadian workers. While this decision might sound good in a press release, it is critical for employees to pay careful attention to what it actually says in their employment contract before assuming they can work wherever they want to indefinitely. Companies often try to put certain limitations on what you can and can’t do, and you should always be aware of what this means for you before making any major decisions.

What happens if I’m fired from Meta?

Nobody likes to think about getting fired before they even start a new job. That said, you should always plan for what could happen if that day comes. When a company fires an employee, they generally have to pay that employee severance. Therefore, Meta employees are owed severance when they lose their job.

Importance of an employment contract

Companies regularly try to limit what you are entitled to upon termination by putting a termination clause in your employment contract. If you sign a contract with a legally enforceable termination clause, this could severely limit what you are entitled to. However, not all termination clauses are legally enforceable, and a lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP can help you better understand what your entitlements are in the event of a termination.

What other things should I look out for?

The COVID-19 pandemic has created many legal issues that have wreaked havoc on employers and employees alike. Some of these issues can be best dealt with upfront when you start a job, in order to avoid a legal dispute later down the road.

For example, whether a company can place you on a temporary layoff has been a heavily contested area of the law. The same can be said for whether a company can require its employees to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. These types of challenging issues can easily be addressed upfront in an employment contract.

How can I protect myself?

The best way an employee can protect themselves prior to starting a new job is to have a lawyer review their contract prior to signing. An employee should know exactly what they are agreeing to, and if there is something in there that they don’t like they can negotiate those terms with their future employer. The first step in protecting yourself is to be aware of the potential dangers that lie ahead and to try to address them before they become a costly problem.

If you’re starting a new job with Meta (or Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp) and would like to have your new employment contract reviewed, speak to an employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP. An experienced member of our team can guide you on how best to protect your employment rights, and assist you in any negotiations before you sign a new employment contract. If your time with Meta comes to an end through a termination, don’t hesitate to speak to us to get the advice you need, and the compensation you deserve.