Mohawk College Layoffs: 200-400 jobs at risk amid declining enrollment

What’s happening at Mohawk College?

Mohawk College in Hamilton plans to lay off 200 to 400 employees due to a sharp decline in international student enrolment.

The layoffs, as reported by CBC News, affecting administrative staff, support workers, and faculty, will begin with administrative staff notifications on Dec. 2.

• The college employs approximately 1,200 full-time and up to 1,250 part-time workers.
• Final layoff numbers will be determined over the coming months.
• A projected $50-million deficit for the 2025-2026 academic year is driving the decision.

Official statements and context

The college leadership has been forthcoming about the financial pressures behind the layoffs.

In a memo to staff, college president Paul Armstrong shared: “The next several weeks will be a difficult time for everyone. There is no easy way to share this information, and I recognize that this is a significant change for the college.”

The challenges stem from a significant drop in international enrolments:

• Fall 2023 enrolments fell to 6,166, down from 7,309 the previous year.
• Applications for 2024 are also down nearly 46% compared to the same time last year.

To mitigate the impact, Mohawk is offering voluntary retirement incentives and eliminating vacant positions where possible.

Industry-wide challenges

Mohawk’s challenges reflect broader trends in Ontario’s post-secondary sector:

• Government policies limiting international student numbers have impacted enrolment.
• Provincial and federal officials have cited housing shortages and private college concerns as key reasons for these caps.

Institutions like Sheridan College have also announced layoffs, with similar issues affecting their budgets. Ontario colleges have long criticized what they call insufficient government funding as a compounding factor.

Union and employee perspectives

Mohawk’s workforce includes a large number of unionized employees:

• OPSEU Local 240 (faculty, librarians, and counselors) represents 1,000 workers.
• Local 241 (support workers) represents over 1,000 employees.

How does this affect non-unionized employees?

If you’re a non-unionized employee who’s been laid off or is facing termination, here’s what you should know:

• You’re likely owed severance: You are entitled to full Ontario severance pay under the province’s employment laws.
• What severance includes: Severance packages can cover salary, bonuses, commissions, benefits, and more.
• Rights don’t change: Even in times of economic issues and restructuring, your rights as an employee remain protected.

Key severance facts for Mohawk College employees

If you’ve lost your job due to the layoffs, here’s what you need to know about general severance rights in Canada:

• Severance pay: Can be up to 24 months’ pay, depending on your role, age, length of service, and ability to find similar work.
• Deadlines: You have up to two years from your termination date to pursue a claim for severance.
• Misclassified employees: Contractors may also be eligible for severance if misclassified as independent contractors.
• Wrongful dismissal: You have been wrongfully dismissed if your employer terminates your employment, and fails to give you the proper amount of severance pay.

Use our Ontario Severance Pay Calculator to estimate what you’re owed.

Steps to take if you’ve been laid off

1. Don’t sign anything yet: Before accepting any severance offer, have it reviewed by an employment lawyer to ensure it’s fair.
2. Understand your rights: Learn about severance pay and employment standards through our blog and resources.
3. Contact us for help: Book a consultation with our team for a detailed review of your severance package and employment contract.

Talk to an employment lawyer

If you’ve been affected by layoffs at Mohawk College, it’s critical to understand your rights and secure the compensation you’re owed. Contact us today for expert legal advice and a free consultation.

Our lawyers in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C. have successfully represented tens of thousands of non-unionized individuals.

In addition to severance package negotiations, we can assist you on a broad range of employment matters, including:

Call 1-855-821-5900 or complete a quick form to get started.